What is Power to Choose Texas?

Power to Choose Texas is Texas's official electricity rate comparison tool provided by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT). It helps residents compare offers from certified electricity suppliers and choose competitive rates.

Is ElectricRates.org the same as Power to Choose Texas?

No, we are not the official Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) tool. We are an independent rate comparison service that provides instant comparison, automated switching features, and savings calculations using real-time data from certified suppliers.

Are the suppliers on ElectricRates.org certified?

Yes, all electricity suppliers shown on our platform are certified by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT). We use the same data sources as the official Power to Choose Texas tool but present it in a more user-friendly format.

Power to Choose Texas | Your Right to Choose Electricity

What is the Power to Choose?

The Power to Choose isn't a website—it's your right. When Texas passed Senate Bill 7 in 1999 and deregulated its electricity market on January 1, 2002, it gave consumers something unprecedented: the power to choose who sells them electricity.

Before deregulation, you were stuck with whatever monopoly utility served your area. No competition. No alternatives. No leverage. Texas changed that. Today, dozens of electricity providers compete for your business, offering different rates, contract terms, and renewable energy options.

This is what "power to choose" means: you decide who supplies your electricity. Your local utility (like Oncor or CenterPoint) still delivers it through the same power lines, but you choose the company that generates it and sets your rate.

How Texas electricity deregulation works

Utility: Delivery (You can't choose)

Your utility company owns the power lines and delivers electricity to your home. This is determined by your address—you can't switch utilities.

Major utilities: Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP Texas, TNMP

Provider: Supply (Your choice!)

Your electricity provider sells you electricity. This is where your power to choose comes in—you can switch providers anytime to get a better rate.

Dozens of providers: TXU, Reliant, Gexa, Rhythm, and many more

What happens when you switch?

You choose a new provider

Compare rates and pick a plan

They handle the switch

No calls to your old provider needed

Same power, new rate

No service interruption ever

How to exercise your power to choose

To help Texans navigate dozens of providers and hundreds of plans, there are tools designed to make comparison easier. Here's how two of them stack up:

PowerToChoose.org

Official PUCT Website

The state-run comparison website created by the Public Utility Commission of Texas. It lists every registered provider and every available plan.

✓ Complete list of all PUCT-licensed providers
✓ Official Electricity Facts Labels (EFLs)
• Hundreds of plans to sort through
• Must calculate actual costs yourself

See all plans on PowerToChoose.org →

ElectricRates.org

Faster Comparison Tool

A streamlined way to exercise your power to choose. We show rates from PUCT-registered providers with actual costs calculated for your usage.

✓ Same PUCT-registered providers
✓ Costs calculated for your actual usage
✓ Delivery charges included in total
✓ Enroll online in minutes

Compare rates now

Both tools access the same market. PowerToChoose.org is the official source with complete regulatory documentation. ElectricRates.org is faster for finding the lowest rate. Use whichever fits how you prefer to shop.

A brief history of your power to choose

1999

Senate Bill 7 Passes

Texas legislature votes to restructure the electricity market, separating generation, transmission, and retail sales into competitive segments.

2002

Deregulation Takes Effect

At midnight on January 1st, the Texas electricity market opens to competition. Providers immediately offer rates 6% below the previous regulated price.

2002

PowerToChoose.org Launches

The PUCT creates the official comparison website to help consumers navigate the new competitive market.

Today

130+ Providers, 85% of Texas

More than two decades later, Texas has one of the most competitive electricity markets in the nation. Residential rates are 12% below the national average according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Statistics verified: January 8, 2026

Common questions

Can I switch electricity providers in my area?

If you're in a deregulated area served by (about 85% of Texas), yes. Enter your ZIP code above to find out. Some areas—like Austin, San Antonio, and El Paso—have municipal utilities that don't participate in retail choice.

What's an EFL and why does it matter?

The Electricity Facts Label is a standardized document Texas requires for every plan. It shows actual rates at 500, 1000, and 2000 kWh usage levels—not just advertised rates. Always compare EFL rates to understand true costs.

How much can I save by switching?

It depends on your current rate and usage. Many Texans save 10-25% by switching from variable rates or expired contracts to competitive fixed-rate plans. Enter your ZIP to see current rates in your area.

Is there a fee to switch providers?

Switching itself is free. However, if you're on a fixed-rate plan and leave before it ends, you may owe an early termination fee. Month-to-month plans typically have no termination fees.

Will my power go out when I switch?

No. Your utility company continues delivering power throughout the switch. Only the company billing you for generation changes. There's no truck roll, no new meter, and no interruption.

Reviews

"The content found for my zip code was so helpful in making a decision about switching service. There were lots of options and each had detailed info on terms, how bills are calculated. The choice for size of home was particularly helpful."

Kim C.

Houston, TX

"Everything was exceptionally easy, from signing up to getting a quote and to getting connected. In fact, it was so easy I thought for sure I had missed a step. Super easy and quick."

Lacey S.

Dallas, TX

"Before I never knew this many providers and plans with bill credits and free nights/weekends existed! Adding the ability to use last year's monthly usage to find the best new plan makes this perfect for saving money."

Mike W.

Austin, TX

Your Power to Choose