Worried over winter highs and the approach of summer making your energy bill skyrocket? Despite common miscalculations regarding the cost of using renewable energy in your home, the Texas Public Utility Commission points to more than 20 renewable energy plans available in North Texas, showing that going green doesn't necessarily mean fewer options. The plans vary from 100 percent renewable to smaller percentages of the electricity derived from clean resources.

The average cost of said plans were 12.3 cents per kilowatt-hour as of late November, with fossil-fuel electricity plans running an 11.5 cents per kilowatt-hour average in Texas—about $12 per month difference.

With 1,185 megawatts of wind capacity already added in 2007 alone, and more anticipated to come, Texas electricity customers have access to a growing renewable energy marketplace, and a competitive one at that. Year to year, purchasing renewable energy in Texas becomes more convenient, and cheaper, giving customers access to the latest in green power technology, and a chance to help protect the environment.

So it's the time of year to hope. Hope for change, hope for better eating habits, hope for a briefcase full of cash and so on. With the holiday spirit in tow, I've decided to embark on a brief hiatus into the world of 2008, but with a special twist.

So here are my three Texas electricity wishes for 2008 (or at least what I hope can happen) :

• More savings for Texas electricity customers. Energy companies are doing a fine job of offering special incentives and really competitive rates, so I expect that to continue and hopefully improve in 2008.


• More renewable energy produced from Texas' large supply of wind power, as well as additional biomass fuel technology from Texas agriculture.


• Take advantage of deregulation in Texas and find affordable electricity ... especially next time I move and need to hook up my utilities.

Though it may seem like common sense to take advantage of lower prices, there is still some misinformation about what deregulation means for electricity service, and why competition is a good thing. So here's to the new year, and to finding the electricity service that we all deserve. Finding reliable and affordable electricity in Texas is easier than you probably imagined.

According to a recent article in the Austin Business Journal, mayors from Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Houston and San Antonio are preparing for a major switch to help alleviate some energy strains for Texas electricity customers. The compact florescent lights (CFLs) will help Texans use 75 percent less energy to light their homes, a switch that is prompting the five mayors to designate the CFL as the "state bulb."

CFLs are unique in their design and performance, lasting up to 10 times longer than traditional, incandescent bulbs, and coupled with the savings in energy use, the CFL could save more than $30 over the lifetime of each bulb. As Texas homes make the switch, the cumulative effects over time could be astronomical, as the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy have estimated that using one CFL in every home could save more than $600 million annually.

The designation of a state bulb is a part of a push by Texas to increase its overall energy efficiency, where as of now the state ranks 11th according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.

For additional information on the proposed switch to CFLs, please see this article in the Austin Business Journal.

Exciting news in the world of Texas deregulated electricity providers in the WhiteFence network. We are enthused to announce another provider, Direct Energy, to the constantly growing electricity and natural gas services available at sites such as ElectricityTexas.com. Being the third largest competitive energy retailer in Texas, they are able to provide competitive rates and plans to millions of customers, with innovative products such as price protection that helps alleviate concerns over rising rates in peak seasons (summer and winter).

Along with powering your home with electricity, Direct Energy also takes initiatives in saving the planet by seeking out alternative energy sources and creating choices for their customers. The commitment they have taken to preserve our environment and lightening the load on your checkbook keeps them on pace in this world as a force in the Texas electricity market.