FAQ Category: Energy Deregulation

To report a power outage in Texas, call the number shown here for your Utility Company. Do not call your provider – they don’t fix power outages.

To report a power outage in the Oncor Utility Area, do not call your provider. Instead, call the number for Oncor shown here.

To report a power outage in the Centerpoint Utility Area, do not call your provider. Instead, call the number for Centerpoint shown here.

To report a power outage in the AEP Utility Area in Texas, do not call your provider. Instead, call the number for AEP Utility shown here.

To report a power outage in the Texas New Mexico Power in Texas, do not call your provider. Instead, call the number for Texas New Mexico Power shown here.

To report a power outage in the TNMP Utility Area in Texas, do not call your provider. Instead, call the number for TNMP Utility shown here.

You just call and talk directly with your retail provider. The key thing to understand is that your retail provider handles the billing and customer support for your energy services, and the wires company handles the delivery of those services, maintains the delivery system, and handles any outages that may occur. If you have customer service or payment related issues with your bill, you’ll call the company that sends you your bill. If you have an outage, you’ll generally call your “Wire and Poles” company – also known as your Utility Company.

The provider you choose has nothing to do with the delivery of your electricity. Your electricity is delivered by the still-regulated local wires company (your Utility), ensuring for you the same safety and reliability regardless of which provider you choose. Your chosen Provider buys or reserves energy in bulk and hopes to turn a profit by taking on the overhead of attracting and maintaining customers. Your utility is the one delivering your power. Your provider is only responsible for billing you for your usage. 

Unfortunately, no. Several states have opened the doors to open competition in the energy markets serving their residents, but many have not. And to make matters even more confusing, some cities within deregulated states aren’t deregulated at all. To find out if you have the power to choose your electricity and/or natural gas provider, simply enter your zip code and we’ll show you your options.