Texas Bill Would Ban Variable, Indexed Electric Rates

A bill, HB 2808, has been introduced in the Texas House of Representatives to ban variable and indexed electric rates for residential customers

HB 2808 provides, "The commission [PUC] by rule shall require a retail electric provider to offer service under a fixed-price contract."

"A retail electric provider may not offer a contract for service at a variable rate," HB 2808 provides HB 2808 applies only to residential service contracts.

A separate bill, SB 1012 has also been introduced which would provide that, "A retail electric provider may not enroll a customer in a variable rate plan without the customer's express consent."

SB 1012 provides that, "The consent must be given in a manner that indicates the customer understands that the customer is enrolling in a variable rate plan."

SB 1012 provides that, "The retail electric provider shall provide notice that the plan includes variable rates in an easily readable font and type size."

SB 1012 further provides that, "A retail electric provider may not offer to a retail customer a rate plan that allows switching from one rate structure to another rate structure."

Nothing in the text of SB 1012 limits its requirements to residential customer contracts