Advanced Metering Charge

A charge assessed to recover a TDSP’s charges for Advanced Metering Systems, to the extent that they are not recovered in a TDSP’s standard metering charge.

Affiliate Retail Electric Provider (AREP)

The Affiliate Retail Electric Provider was part of the original electric company that generated and sold electricity in your area. Now, the AREP only sells electricity and provides customer service.

Automatic Payment Program

Enjoy the convenience of recurring payments using your bank account or credit card. It's easy, free, and there is no need to buy stamps.

Average Price

The average price paid for this service period includes all current charges, excluding taxes, divided by your usage amount.

Billing Period

Indicates the period of time for which you are being billed for your electricity service.

Competition Transition Charge

A charge assessed to recover a TDSP’s charges for non-securitized costs associated with the transition to competition.

Current Read (Estimated)

An estimated meter read is a utility-supplied or internal estimate when an actual meter read is unavailable for a service period.

Demand Charge

A charge based on the rate at which electric energy is delivered to or by a system at a give instant, or averaged over a designated period, during the billing cycle.

Deregulation

In the past, one company provided all parts of your electric service (generation, transmission and distribution, and retail sales). With competition, separate entities now provide these services.

Do Not Call List

A list established by the Public Utility Commission of Texas for customers who do not want to receive telemarketing calls from Retail Electric Providers or other telephone marketers doing business in Texas.

Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)

The council that administers and maintains the reliability of the state's electrical power grid. When you choose a Retail Electric Provider, ERCOT will send you a postcard confirming your switch from one Retail Electric Provider to another.

Electricity Facts Label

The document that outlines a Retail Electric Provider's (REP) pricing information, contract terms, sources of generation and levels of emissions in a standardized format so that you can compare REP offers "apples to apples".

Energy Charge

A charge based on the electric energy (kWh) consumed.

Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery Factor

A charge assessed to recover a TDSP’s costs for energy efficiency programs, to the extent that the TDSP charge is a separate charge exclusively for that purpose that is approved by the PUCT.

Generation

The production of electricity.

Kilowatt (kW)

The standard unit for measuring electricity demand, equal to 1000 watts.

Kilowatt-hour (kWh)

The standard unit for measuring electric energy consumption, equal to 1,000 watt-hours.

Late Fee

A charge assessed for late payment in accordance with PUCT rules.

Meter Charge

A charge assessed to recover a TDSP’s charges for metering a customer’s consumption, to the extent that the TDSP charge is a separate charge exclusively for that purpose that is approved by the PUCT.

Miscellaneous Gross Receipts Tax Reimbursements

A fee assessed to recover the miscellaneous gross receipts tax imposed on REPs operating in an incorporated city or town having a population of more than 1,000.

Nuclear Decommissioning Fee

A charge assessed to recover a TDSP’s charges for decommissioning of nuclear generating sites.

Provider of Last Resort (POLR)

If your Retail Electric Provider leaves the market for any reason, your service will automatically be transferred to the POLR, which serves as a back-up Retail Electric Provider in your area.

Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT)

The state agency that is responsible for the regulation and oversight of electric and local telecommunication services in Texas. Under Electric Choice, the PUCT regulates the delivery of electricity and enforces customer protections.

PUC Assessment

A fee assessed to recover the statutory fee for administering the Public Utility Regulatory Act.

Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy is earth friendly energy derived from renewable energy technologies, which includes any technology that exclusively relies on an energy source that is naturally regenerated over a short time and derived from the sun, moving water, or other natural movements and mechanisms of the environment. Renewable energy also includes earth friendly energy derived directly from the sun, on wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, wave, or tidal energy, or on biomass or biomass-based waste products, including landfill gas. Renewable energy is not derived from fossil fuels, waste products from fossil fuels, or waste products from inorganic sources.

Retail Electric Provider (REP)

Retail Electric Providers, or REPs, are certified by the PUCT to compete for your business by offering lower prices, renewable energy options, added customer service benefits or other incentives. A REP sells electricity to customers.

Sales Tax

Sales tax collected by authorized taxing authorities, such as the state, cities and special purpose districts.

Security Lighting

Lighting equipment installed on a customer's property, such as a guard light.

Terms of Service

This is your contract and outlines your length of service, price, and other important information.

Total Delivery Charges

The total amounts assessed by a TDSP for the delivery of electricity to a customer over poles and wires and other TDSP facilities, not including discretionary charges, and may also include charges from the independent system operator.

Transition Charge

A charge assessed to recover a TDSP’s charges for securitized costs associated with the transition to competition.

Transmission and Distribution Service Provider (TDSP)

The local utility responsible for maintaining the poles and wires, and responding to emergencies and power outages. TDSP means the same as TDU.

Transmission Distribution Surcharges

One or more TDSP surcharge(s) on a customer’s bill in any combination. Surcharges include charges billed as tariff riders by the TDSP.

Usage Charges

The charge for your kWh usage during the service period multiplied by the cost per kWh stated in your Terms of Service Agreement.

Your Rights as a Customer

This brochure informs you of your standard customer protections as mandated by the PUCT.