Affiliate Retail Electric Provider (AREP)

The Affiliate Retail Electric Provider was part of the original electric company that generated and sold electricity in your area. Now, the AREP only sells electricity and provides customer service.

Automatic Payment Program

Enjoy the convenience of recurring payments using your bank account or credit card. It's easy and there is no need to buy stamps.

Average Price

The average price paid for this service period includes all current charges, excluding taxes, divided by your usage amount.

Billing Period

Indicates the period of time for which you are being billed for your electricity service.

Budget Billing Program

Offers you a predictable monthly bill in which you pay approximately the same amount for electric service each month subject to a quarterly adjustment based on actual electricity consumption.

Cramming

Adding charges to your electric bill for additional services without your permission.

Current Read (Estimated)

An estimated meter read is a utility-supplied or internal estimate when an actual meter read is unavailable for a service period.

Deferred Payment Program

If you are unable to pay the complete amount of your current bill, you may qualify to pay an overdue balance in installments until payment is complete. Contact a customer service representative to discuss your situation.

Deregulation

In the past, one company provided all parts of your electric service (generation, transmission and distribution, and retail sales). With competition, separate entities now provide these services.

Do Not Call List

A list established by the Public Utility Commission of Texas for customers who do not want to receive telemarketing calls from Retail Electric Providers or other telephone marketers doing business in Texas.

Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)

The council that administers and maintains the reliability of the state's electrical power grid. When you choose a Retail Electric Provider, this group will send you a postcard confirming your switch from one Retail Electric Provider to another.

Electricity Facts Label

The document that outlines a Retail Electric Provider's (REP) pricing information, contract terms, sources of generation and levels of emissions in a standardized format so that you can compare REP offers "apples to apples".

Fuel Factor

The cost for fuel used to generate electricity covered by an Affiliate Retail Electric Provider. This cost is set by the Public Utility Commission of Texas and is charged on each customer's bill, based on kilowatt-hour (kWh) usage. An Affiliate Retail Electric Provider is prohibited from making a profit on fuel costs and must receive approval from the PUCT in order to change the fuel factor.

Generation

The production of electricity.

Kilowatt-hour (kWh)

The unit of measurement for the electricity you use over time. The amount of electricity you use each billing period is expressed in terms of a kilowatt-hour, and is noted on your bill.

Monthly Customer Charge

The fixed monthly charge that covers the servicing of your account as outlined in your Terms of Service Agreement.

Outage

If you experience an emergency or power outage, you may call
Houston and surrounding areas:
CenterPoint Energy
1-800-332-7143, toll free or 713-207-2222, locally

Dallas/Ft Worth and surrounding areas:
TXU Electric Delivery
1-888-313-4747, toll free

Provider of Last Resort

If your Retail Electric Provider leaves the market for any reason, your service will automatically be transferred to the Provider of Last Resort (POLR), which serves as a back-up Retail Electric Provider in your area.

Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC)

The state agency that is responsible for the regulation and oversight of electric and local telecommunication services in Texas. Under Electric Choice, the PUC regulates the delivery of electricity and enforces customer protections.

Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy is defined by the manner in which the energy is generated. Renewable Energy generation sources, such as wind, are available to our customers. Information on our generation sources and emissions can be found on the Electricity Facts Label.

Retail Electric Provider

Retail Electric Providers, or REPs, are certified by the PUC and compete for your business by offering lower prices, renewable energy options, added customer service benefits or other incentives. A REP sells electricity to customers.

Security Lighting

Lighting equipment installed on a customer's property, such as a guard light.

Slamming

Switching your electric provider without your approval.

Transmission and Distribution Service Provider (TDSP)

The local utility responsible for maintaining the poles and wires, and responding to emergencies and power outages.

Terms of Service

This is your contract that outlines your length of service, fees and other important information.

Usage Charges

The charge for your kWh usage during the service period multiplied by the cost per kWh stated in your Terms of Service Agreement.

Your Rights as a Customer

This brochure informs you of your standard customer protections as mandated by the PUC.