As of January 1, 2002, municipally-owned electric utilities (“munis”) and electric cooperatives (“co-ops”) have the right to choose whether to participate in Texas’ retail electric market. Munis or co-ops may choose to participate in customer choice at any time, if there is a resolution adopted by the board of directors or the governing body. Not all areas in the state of Texas are currently open to competition. Due to a lack of adequate competition in the wholesale electricity market to support successful retail competition, state law has included provisions to delay competition for Entergy Gulf States, Southwestern Public Service Company, El Paso Electric Company, and AEP SWEPCO. If the competitive market changes in the future, the Public Utility Commission (PUC) would determine that these utilities are eligible to enter the competitive retail electric market if they so choose. Customers should contact their municipal utility or electric cooperative for additional information.
