Texas PUC Chair Tells Lawmakers That PUC Currently Has Authority To Regulate Retail Electric Provider Plans, Prohibit Certain Products

During a hearing before a Texas House committee, DeAnn T. Walker, Chairman of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, told lawmakers that the PUC currently has authority to prohibit retail electric providers from offering certain kinds of products, and may exercise such authority via rulemaking

Although a line of questioning had started on REP certification requirements, and if REPs filed (and if the PUC reviewed) a REP's retail plans as part of certification, a House member later more broadly asked the following question.

"Do you have the authority ... [to] look at [REPs' products] and you decide, 'that's too risky' or 'that's not a good product, that's going to prey on people', [or] whatever you make [a] determination, you can just choose not to approve that?" the House member asked

"We can put that in there," Walker said. "We can also, on the ones that are currently existing, look to see if we can do a revocation or pull down their offerings."

"And that is something you can do by rule; you don't need our authority to do something like that if you decide to take that kind of action?" the member asked

"Yes sir," Walker said

Walker noted that REPs do not currently submit to the Commission, as part of certification, what plans the REPs will be offering, but, "we can change that." Walker noted that REPs' offerings may change over time, after certification is granted