Texas

What are Market Securitization Charges?

Market securitization charges are a new line item on Texas electricity bills. They’re a direct outcome of Winter Storm Uri, paying for some of the extraordinary costs of that storm.

The Texas legislature passed House Bill (HB) 4492 in 2021 in response to the storm’s financial impact on the ERCOT power region. The legislation allows Texas REPs to add the charge to their bills for the next 30 years

You can’t avoid paying these fees, which are from a regulatory change. But you might as well understand them, since you’ll be paying them for the next 3 decades.

Read More about What are Market Securitization Charges?

Will Electricity Prices Fall this Fall in Texas?

We get questions like this all the time from customers, friends and neighbors. Will electricity prices fall this fall?

Normally we would say, of course! Electricity prices always drop in the fall in Texas. And this year is no exception, based on what we’re seeing with pricing. Prices are dropping… just not as far as we all hoped.

This article was written in Summer 2022. See our Texas Electricity Rate Trends 2023 article for the latest electricity price forecast for 2023.

Read More about Will Electricity Prices Fall this Fall in Texas?

How to Get Help Paying Electric Bill

With rising electricity costs, you may need help with your power bill. If you need help with your electric bill in Texas, there are three basic options.

  1. Contact Your Electricity Provider: Your REP is the first point of contact if you need help paying your power bill in Texas. Working with them can give you a bill payment extension and keep you from being disconnected.
  2. Call 211 Utility Assistance: Texas 211 is a central clearing house of resources. The 211 operator may be able to match you to available aid programs.
  3. See if you qualify for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): This program provides bill payment assistance for those on SSI or that earn less than 150% of the Federal Income Poverty Guidelines.

Below we provide additional information on each option. Plus ideas for bill payment help for those who are not low income.

Read More about How to Get Help Paying Electric Bill

We just need your ZIP code

To show you the right plan, please enter your ZIP code below

Please enter a valid Commercial Service Address or ESID to proceed