Texas legislator wants to kill Power to Choose website

Power lines in the Webster area. State Rep. Jared Patterson, R-Denton, wants to drop the Power to Choose electricity service comparison website, arguing the government shouldn't be "competing" with the state's deregulated electricity industry. less Power lines in the Webster area. State Rep. Jared Patterson, R-Denton, wants to drop the Power to Choose electricity service comparison website, arguing the government shouldn't be "competing" with the ... more Photo: Bill Montgomery, Houston Chronicle Photo: Bill Montgomery, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close Texas legislator wants to kill Power to Choose website 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

A state-sponsored website millions of Texans use to shop for electricity could be on the chopping block.

Texas Rep. Jared Patterson, a freshman Republican who represents Denton County, wants the Public Utility Commission to drop Power to Choose, the website introduced two decades ago when Texas deregulated the electricity industry. Patterson has introduced a bill in the state legislature that would eliminate the website that compares dozens of electricity plans, arguing that the government shouldn't be competing with private businesses.

RELATED: Regulators take aim at pricing gimmicks on Power to Choose

"Government doesn't offer pricing comparison sites for groceries or car tires, and shouldn't for electricity rates either," said Patterson.

Patterson is director of energy services at Rapid Power Management, a retail electric brokerage firm based in Carrollton that buys electricity on behalf of manufacturers and commercial clients.

RELATED: Cottage industry rises from complexity of choosing electricity plans

One consumer watchdog said it would be a disservice to Texans shopping for electricity to eliminate Power to Choose.

"It provides an important service," said R.A. Dyer, policy analyst for the Texas Coalition for Affordable Power in Austin, which buys electricity on behalf of municipal governments. He said it's important for the Public Utility Commission to oversee the website that provides a way for consumers to compare plans.

TEXAS TAKE: Get your updates on Texas politics delivered to you.

Patterson also takes issue with the marketing gimmicks that many retail electricity providers use to trick customers into believing they're getting a good deal. The Public Utility Commission cracked down last year on many of the abuses but Patterson believes its just a matter of time until retailers find another way to trick the commission's algorithm and get their plans out on top for consumers to see first.

"I don't think it's as accurate as people think it is," he said.

NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message | Sign up for breaking news alerts delivered to your email here.