Enron and Ken Lay's electricity deregulation is being challenged in Texas

[johncoby2]

And you guys thought we were a bunch of ignorant hillbillies....
Full story at http://bayareahouston.blogspot.com/2009/03/sams-club-electrcity-rates.html


Our elected officials (at least some of them) have realized that electricity deregulation has been a huge failure. Senator Elitfe, a republican in East Texas, has filed SB547 to stop deregulation until it can be proven through a pilot program it will reduce rates for his constituents. His bill passed in committee on a unanimous vote.

Senator Wendy Davis, Democrat from Dallas, has filed a bill with Representative Jim Keffer, a republican, to allow cities to use their power to negotiate for a low rate and pass this on to their citizens.

It’s the Sam’s Club theory: Allow consumers to buy electricity in big boxes — city-sized boxes — to get a better rate. Under the measure proposed by state Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth (SB 1481), and state Rep. Jim Keffer, R-Eastland (HB 2780), cities, counties and other such bodies could negotiate electricity rates on behalf of their residents.


http://bayareahouston.blogspot.com/2009/03/sams-club-electrcity-rates.html

[FreakinDJ]

1. They knew it could be manipulated before Deregulation passed

and that was reported to Gov. Pete Wilson BEFORE he signed the bill

Search Sac Bee for the story

[RB TexLa]

2. It's lower my rates.

[FreakinDJ]

3. Just wait

Enron Traders who knew how to manipulate the system are TOP Paid Wall St. traders now.

As the troubled companies receive TARP funds and can no longer pay huge bonuses these blood suckers will move back into energy trading

THEN YOU'LL BE SCREWED

[sendero]

4. Not mine..

... I live in Dallas and I'm paying a LOT more than I was.

[johncoby2]

7. I live in Houston and it is twice as high!

We used to pay 8 cents per kWh before deregulation. Now I am at 12.3 and that is after I worked hard to find the best price.

For others they are around 15-18 cents. It is pretty sad.

[Hannah Bell]

12. sure it has.

[Skink]

5. Texas now enjoys the highest electricity rates in the nation.

as reported in the NYT.

[annm4peace]

6. I've been surprised an angry Texan hasn't shot Bush yet

All these criminals put us in the poor house and they are living fat and happy

[johncoby2]

8. take it easy there............

Although someone had to say it.

[Laelth]

9. Good luck getting that passed.

It's nice to see that a few Republics actually care about their constituents, and it's nice that a few of them have realized that de-regulation has been a complete failure (if its intent was to bring down prices through competition), but I'd bet that the powers-that-be in Texas will buy off enough members of the legislature to ensure that they can continue to make obscene profits at the expense of the citizenry of that great State.

:dem:

-Laelth

[underpants]

10. See this thread (WSJ article) from July 2008

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/underpants/124

[bonzotex]

11. Austin Energy is publicly owned - contrast

By publicly owned I mean run by the evil BIG GUB'MINT!

Maximum rate I pay per KWH is $0.0602. More than 1/2 of my household KWH are charged at 0.33 to 0.355. Yet Austin Energy runs a huge surplus which is turned over for use in the general fund for the City of Austin. Thus, helping keep taxes down. They are accountable to taxpayers and have an excellent customer service department that answers calls with local humans 24/7.

Austin Energy is one of the National leaders of incorporating Green power generation.

They are not perfect but they kick the ass of all the privately held power companies in Texas. They are a case study in exactly the kind of service Government provides better and cheaper than private enterprise.

This is what a world run by Liberals can look like.

[johncoby2]

13. WOW! San antonio is the same!

They pay 6 cents and 7 during the summer! I am stuck with 12.3 and locked in for 2 years.

I do a Power Watch blog taking rates month to month. Take a look at:

bayareahouston.blogspot.com and search for Power Watch