Why Energy Deregulation is Right for Texas

There seems to be no end to the government intrusion into our lives coming out of Washington D.C. these days. And while that is challenging our very way of life, and AFP is fighting that big-spending, big-government liberal agenda, some of that agenda is also being considered right here in Texas.

A lot of attacks lately (in the media and among local government groups pushing for re-regulation) have been directed at the competitive electricity market. These groups are trying to persuade the Texas legislature to take away energy deregulation and your right to choose an electricity provider of your own choice. They want to return Texas to the past where old, inefficient monopolies told you what you were going to pay for electricity.

This would be like telling you what telephone provider you had to use.

At the time telecommunications was deregulated, we had no idea the innovation and consumer benefits it would derive. Now many of us don’t even think about making a long distance call, and we have the ability to text, tweet and talk using a small cell phone. Who would have known these innovations and cost savings would result from telecommunications deregulation?

We can anticipate that same type of consumer benefit from energy deregulation.

Years ago, the Texas legislature set up the right framework to move from a one-size-fits-all regulated, monopoly-driven electricity model to a competitive market where electricity companies must compete for business. As a result, millions of Texans have chosen a home electricity plan that meets their individual needs—not a government mandated one.

Here are the facts on energy deregulation in Texas:

• Prices are lower today in Texas than they would have been had Texas not deregulated.

• 2001 Regulated Rate in North Texas: 9.67˘ (not adjusted for inflation)

• Current Lowest Price in North Texas: 9.5˘ (This information came from the Public Utility Commission of Texas website)

• The competitive electricity market has produced billions of dollars of investment in Texas and thousands of jobs.

• In the competitive system, investment risk is carried by the electricity generator, not the customer.

• Competition is stimulating economic growth in Texas at a time when private sector investment is critically needed.

• Texas leads the country in wind-generated power, and other innovations.

These are the facts, but you wouldn’t know it from the mainstream media or listening to the city lobbyists and liberal groups running around our state capitol.

For instance, in zip code 79762 ( Odessa, TX), there are over 80 different plans and providers to choose from 9.3 cents KWH to a co-op at 17.7 cents KWH.

Unfortunately, several bills have already been filed in Austin that would threaten energy deregulation, our ability to choose and could halt this innovation and much-needed economic growth.

We can’t return Texas to the past where old, inefficient monopolies ruled the day. It’s up to us to voice our support for free-market energy deregulation.

Peggy Venable http://citizenwatchdogs.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=262:why-electricity-deregulation-is-right-for-texas&catid=27:texas-legislature&Itemid=2

Energy Deregulation