So it's been basically forever since I've needed to look into a utility provider and I'm not really sure where to start. I've found a few provider's but I'm really not sure what is a good deal and what is paying more than I should be. It's a small apartment (about 700 sq ft) so I have a hard time believing it'll use a ton of power. Anyone have any thoughts?
Here you don't have a choice. It's whoever supplies the area.
Google + "electricity providers 'your city' "?
Like Spitfirebill, of the three cities I have lived in, you only had one choice anyway.
Here in Ohio we have a list of suppliers and prices provided by the public utility commission (PUCO). Looks like there might be something similar in Texas; check here:
That's linked to from the PUCT (Public Utilities Commission of Texas) web site. Enter your new zip code and maybe they'll give you a list.
I've lived in 14 places as an adult and I've never had a choice of electricity providers. Didn't know that was a thing. Do they have multiple sets of poles and wires?
Choice? WTF?
A few places do have choices other than "public utility monopoly," "off-grid," and "none." If you do, choose the one with the least coal. Crazy that the stuff is legal to burn on an industrial scale.
T.J. said:I've lived in 14 places as an adult and I've never had a choice of electricity providers. Didn't know that was a thing. Do they have multiple sets of poles and wires?
One carrier, so one set of poles and wires, but separate electricity providers hooking into the grid. Same with gas - we can choose gas suppliers but still get the pipes and billing from Columbia Gas.
In reply to GameboyRMH :
As a grid operator I implore you to do more research than just mindless anti-coal sentiment. Every coal plant being replaced by renewables is one less plant supplying voltage and frequency regulation to an increasingly unstable grid.
Instead support companies that have demonstrated their willingness to spend money upgrading the regulating systems on their wind and farms and solar inverters. Support companies that have infrastructure investments and some skin in the game; they are the ones who will still be here in 5 years and who have some incentive to improve. Support companies that are responsive to your questions and who value your feedback. Support the company who owns the hardware on your street and who will be sending crews out to do repairs after a storm. Heck, support the company with the best looking trucks (there is correlation between well maintained trucks and well maintained system equipment).
Just don't do it only based on coal usage, because unless you have a new nuclear plant going in nearby whatever coal they are still using is probably the only thing keeping the grid stable right now.
In Texas the Retail Electric Providers don't necessarily own the generation. Also the wire doesn't discriminate electrons, just because you buy electricity from a company that has a green "mission" or buys renewable credits or has bilateral agreements with renewable generators the power that comes to your home will be from whatever generation is online and fulfilling service at the time. There's a whole lot of abstraction that goes on between you flipping on your light switch and the settlement of the market. Find someone with a good rate and good consumer ratings.
My company where I pay the bill delivers the electricity . They buy the current from providers of which I have a choice. Rather confusing.
oldopelguy said:In reply to GameboyRMH :
As a grid operator I implore you to do more research than just mindless anti-coal sentiment. Every coal plant being replaced by renewables is one less plant supplying voltage and frequency regulation to an increasingly unstable grid.
Instead support companies that have demonstrated their willingness to spend money upgrading the regulating systems on their wind and farms and solar inverters. Support companies that have infrastructure investments and some skin in the game; they are the ones who will still be here in 5 years and who have some incentive to improve. Support companies that are responsive to your questions and who value your feedback. Support the company who owns the hardware on your street and who will be sending crews out to do repairs after a storm. Heck, support the company with the best looking trucks (there is correlation between well maintained trucks and well maintained system equipment).
Just don't do it only based on coal usage, because unless you have a new nuclear plant going in nearby whatever coal they are still using is probably the only thing keeping the grid stable right now.
How could someone without industry insider knowledge know these things? They're worthwhile goals to support but I think it goes beyond what the public could reasonably know. Maybe power companies need to start publicly naming and shaming the offenders, somewhat similar to privacy issues in the tech industry?
And my anti-coal sentiment is far from mindless, it's based on the amount of CO2, radioactive ash, and other pollutants emitted by burning coal vs. literally any other substance that has been burned for power. NG is popular in the US and pollutes far less.
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