Proton Energy Customers Sent to Default Service

Proton Energy Customers Sent to Default Service

Proton Energy, the electric company that couldn’t shoot straight, has finally been shot down. The Texas Public Utility Commission this week revoked Proton’s license and ordered the transfer of all of  its customers to default service, an action that effectively...
Electric Deals Pay Customers for Conservation

Electric Deals Pay Customers for Conservation

Smart meters — that is, those automated electric meters that measure energy consumption at homes and businesses — cost Texans between $2 and $3 every month. Although electric utilities long have advocated for them, the benefits never included much by the way of...
Natural Gas and Electricity Prices: Ups & Downs

Natural Gas and Electricity Prices: Ups & Downs

In Texas, natural gas helps set the price of wholesale power. When natural gas prices go up, wholesale power prices also should increase. When natural gas prices go down, wholesale energy costs should follow. This correlation exists because natural gas fuels many...
“Small Fish” Swim Free in Texas Electricity Market

“Small Fish” Swim Free in Texas Electricity Market

The “small fish swim free” rule — a controversial regulation that critics say could leave the door open to manipulation of the Texas energy market — lives on. By a 3-0 vote last week, members of the Texas Public Utility Commission rejected a request to nullify the...
Consumer Complaints Target Electric Companies

Consumer Complaints Target Electric Companies

In a sign of continuing challenges for Texas electricity consumers, a number of power retailers have been accused in high-profile cases of deceptive marketing and other abuses. The complaints have led to unflattering news accounts and unwelcome regulatory scrutiny for...