Re: Texas internet connectivity declining due to blackouts

[Tom Beecher <beecher () beecher cc>]

The issue is that while there are lots of information out there detailing
the risks of variable rate supply plans, the majority of consumers are not
equipped to properly understand that risk; these are complex markets in the
best of times. Many of these companies are also borderline predatory in how
they market their services. It's the standard model you see in many
industries; highlight the savings, fine print or hide the risk, and then
when the consumer gets screwed , point and say 'well they should have
understood what they signed up for!'. That's complete trash when it comes
to life critical utilities.


On Wed, Feb 17, 2021 at 7:25 PM Yang Yu <yang.yu.list () gmail com> wrote:

> On Wed, Feb 17, 2021 at 10:46 AM John Sage <jsage () finchhaven com> wrote:
> > This article is an interest description of Texas electricity pricing for
> > one provider and for the market in general:
> https://www.dallasnews.com/business/energy/2021/02/16/electricity-retailer-griddys-unusual-plea-to-texas-customers-leave-now-before-you-get-a-big-bill/
>
> That is far from the market in general.
>
> Most people use a fixed rate plan (can easily find one without rebate
> for <10c/kwh after taxes & fees). The customer would have to make an
> explicit decision to pick a variable/market rate plan (excluded by
> default on http://powertochoose.org/) with higher risk and cheaper
> electricity when the wholesale price is low.
>
>
> http://www.puc.texas.gov/consumer/facts/factsheets/elecfacts/Electricplans.pdf
>
> > Changing Rate (Variable) Plans have rates per kWh that can vary according
> to a method determined solely by the provider and may be dependent on
> market changes and other exceptions beyond the provider's control
> > Market Rate (Indexed) Plans have rates per kWh that can vary according to
> pre-defined publicly available indices or information and other exceptions
> beyond the provider's control
>
>
> > The highest the price can go to is $9/kWh (which has only ever happened
> 0.005% of the time.) Most of the time though, 96.9% to be exact, it is
> below the Texas Average of 6.8¢/kWh
> https://www.griddy.com/texas/learn-more#learn-pricing