Electric rates going up?

[Lisa0825]

I have heard that here in Texas, we have some of the highest rates in the country - yeah, right, deregulation is good for consumers! :sarcasm: I also heard that rates will be going up.

So, I have started looking at the competition's plans. I just stayed with the same company I was with from before deregulation. Their prices are about median, and I am confident in their service, so I am not sure I want to change. However, I was thinking about locking into a 12-month plan during which my rates will not go up. Then I noticed that some of the other companies even have 2 year plans. I really prefer not to lock in for so long, but if rates are expected to go up dramatically, I might consider it.

Does anyone here have any info on what is expected of electric rates in the next couple years?

Thanks:-)

edited to add:

This is from a Q&A, and I have leard local news stories about this very thing happening to people, which is why I hesitate to switch providers:

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/business/16312175.htm

Q: What if my electric provider unexpectedly goes out of business? Will I be left in the dark?

A: No. Under the law, the so-called provider of last resort serves customers who can't get service elsewhere. However, that utility charges relatively high rates.

[NMDemDist2]

1. i have no idea, but with fuel prices going up I suppose it makes sense

depends on how your provider generates their power I guess :shrug:

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

2. Here in CT we are experiencing large rate increases due to

de-regulation. Heard on Free Speech Radio News this AM that the whole de-reg idea originated with.......ENRON !! :puke:

Have not had a chance to google that yet, but I don't think FSRN lies.

[roguevalley]

3. Ours doubled, that is, everyone but us. We made a pact against

our electrical cooperative, which we loathe. If we aren't in the room, the light is off. We have the Kenmore Elite washer/dryer that collectively costs us 45$ a year to run. We have the good lightbulbs and we use electrical surge protectors so we can shut off entire rooms by pulling the plug.

We also limit our levels on bathwater, which the heating thereof causes the biggest cost in electricity.

Our family told us their bills doubled. But we only saw a $.63 increase over the last month, which is the worst month for us up here. We had a car plugged in, grow lights on our little starter plants and Christmas lights and still, it went down.

[Le Taz Hot]

4. Competitors?

You have competitors? What a concept! Someone should tell California about that. My last Pacific Gas & Electric Bill for one month? $612.00. That's one entire unemployment check for me.

[NMMNG]

5. We're expecting a potential 72% rate hike this summer for our Gas/Electric

Yay! :sarcasm:


http://www.dailypress.com/sports/columnists/bal-te.md.rates17mar17,0,2605654.story


They've been talking about this for over a year now with the politicians saying they'll stop it, then postponing it, then saying they'll stop it again, but I don't see them putting it off forever. BGE had a freeze on rate increases for 7 years and now they want their money.

[moonlady0623]

6. PNW will go up 13%

Since a lot of PNW power goes south, we've had a discount - can't recall what it was called...anyway got mail lately that it has been suspended, meaning residential and small business electricity will go up 13%................we're currently around $80/month, two of us and the pets....sigh

[blueworld]

7. The only thing they deregulated was my discretionary spending

New Jersey: I went through it. Moved to VA, currently going through it. Wish they had an emoticon that would give a big raspberry. I just wanted to mention something I read on my own bill. If I select a "competitor" my company will still charge "line fees". When you lock in a rate for the electricity, can they still raise those "line fees" for delivering the juice to your house? Sorry, but I'm a suspicious old cuss. :grr: