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MAYOR BILL WHITE HELPS CITIZENS RESPOND TO RISING ELECTRICITY COSTS WITH "CONSUMER CHOICE INITIATIVE" TO EDUCATE, INFORM
April 5, 2006 -- Mayor Bill White today unveiled www.houstonconsumerchoice.com -- a Website dedicated to informing Houstonians about options they have in purchasing power at a time when electricity rates have skyrocketed. "We want people to know they have a choice and to give them useful information to make their decision," said Mayor White. "My wife and I recently switched to a local 'green power' provider who generates electricity in a way that pollutes less, but others may want to make their choices based on the best price. We're making that choice easier for them." After the end of this year neither the City nor the Texas Public Utility Commission will have as much control over electricity rates. Tradition ceilings on rates will be done away with. The City recently asked electricity providers to offer their "best price" for Houston consumers. The prices of some companies are much less than others. Others offer "green power," with fewer emissions. The City of Houston required all responding electricity providers to meet some standard of financial strength, and to keep their offers open to Houstonians until April 30, 2006. Seven power providers are participating in the program. Some offer several different types of products, with both variable and fixed pricing and "green" and conventional electricity. A customer's choice of providers will not affect the reliability of their service. A separate company, Center Point Energy is responsible for that. A user-friendly "calculator" on www.houstonconsumerchoice.com will allow consumers to explore service options and rates from the participating providers. In addition, help with the website will be available at all Houston Public Libraries, City Multi-Service Centers and other community facilities. Having a copy of a recent electricity bill will be useful, but not required, for citizens using the Website. It is important for consumers to consider their power choices now before the hot summer months when electric demand rises sharply. Providers participating in www.houstonconsumerchoice.com include the following:
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