CenterPoint’s Monopoly Money

CenterPoint’s Monopoly Money

Operating Outside Free Market, Houston’s CenterPoint Maximizes Profits by Lobbying Against Oversight Houston’s CenterPoint Energy is at again. The big monopoly with a reputation for bad ideas has successfully lobbied for a rule change at the Texas Railroad...
Oncor defends record, but neglects important details

Oncor defends record, but neglects important details

Has Oncor systematically shortchanged its electric distribution system? That’s the question from Public Utility Commission Kenneth Anderson, who wrote in a recent memo that repeated outages in North Texas have him left wondering whether the company is doing enough to...
Oncor’s Big Battery Push: Cost Saver or Too Costly?

Oncor’s Big Battery Push: Cost Saver or Too Costly?

Oncor, the state’s largest electric monopoly, wants to invest billions of dollars in energy storage technology — a proposal that could lead to the placement of refrigerator-sized batteries behind shopping malls and in residential neighborhoods. But the ambitious plan...
Houston’s Electric Utility Reaping Windfall Profits

Houston’s Electric Utility Reaping Windfall Profits

CenterPoint to seek 2015 rate increase, lobbyists have pushed for less stringent oversight Houstonians appear to be paying too much for electricity — tens of millions of dollars too much. Texas regulators report that Houston’s CenterPoint Energy collected $46.5...
Progress for long delayed energy efficiency program

Progress for long delayed energy efficiency program

A long-delayed program intended to deliver high-tech energy savings to low-income Texans may finally be getting back on track. But questions remain — including whether large numbers of low-income Texans will avail themselves of the new technology. The devices included...