Texas Power to Choose Implements New Changes, Including Scoring of REPs

The Texas PowerToChoose.com site has been updated with anticipated changes, including an indicator of the REP's complaint score in the list of REP offers.

EnergyChoiceMatters.com had first reported in April a series of enhancements coming to the PowerToChoose.com site.

As currently displayed, the revamped PowerToChoose.com includes, under each REP's name, its complaint scorecard ranking (on a scale of 1 to 5), and a link to its complaint history. Customers can also sort by complaint scores.

Staff had previously previewed a site contemplating another ratings component that will allow customers to rate a REP on price, billing & payment, customer service, and communications, on a numeric scale with a rating of 5 being the best. Such feature has not yet been implemented with the latest changes.

The revised Power to Choose is more focused on the shopping experience, and the only call to action on the new main page is for the customer to enter their zip code.

After entering their zip code, the customer may answer three questions to narrow the offers presented prior to going to the next page, with the questions asking customers for their usage level, type of plan desired (fixed, etc.), and length of contract desired. The customer can alternatively choose to see all offers immediately.

If the customer selects to answer the questions, the customer is notified, prior to the results appearing, that, "Many plans require you to use a minimum amount of electricity each month. If you use less than the minimum amount, you will automatically be charged a fee, sometimes called a 'base charge' or 'minimum usage charge.'" The site informs customers that a tool allows the customer to see if a company requires a minimum electricity usage and if there is an associated fee or credit.

As currently displayed, customers must click a link next to each offer to see the minimum usage fee, if any (unlike with early termination fees which are listed next to each offer without clicking).

Customers can narrow their search results by a minimum and maximum kWh price, in addition to type of contract (fixed, etc.), renewable content, complaint score, and whether the product is a prepaid or TOU plan.