Thursday Two Questions #72 - Electricity Providers Choices

electricity providers In Texas there are more than one electricity providers and people can choose which company they want to provide their household with electricity. I often wondered why in my own city there is one electricity provider, one garbage and recycling company,and one water company?

I can only imagine that these utility companies are so complicated to run that no one has the desire to start one. With people more used to voicing negativity than praise, no one is crazy enough to subject themselves through all the regulations.

I am happy now that there are atleast two big companies for internet, but cable, we're stuck with one.

Thursday Two QuestionsCopy ENTIRE Code

Here are Self Sagacity's Thursday Two Questions #72:
1) Do you have more than one utility/ electricity providers in your state?
2) Do you have a choice in who to go with? 

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19 Comments

  1. These fat utilities make deals with the local governments to preserve their monopoly status. If we had a choice, we would have lower prices and better service. It used to be the same with just one phone company (AT&T) and now we have choices so life is better.

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    1. Yes. I believe you. I like more choices in our internet connection. It isn't fair to have to pay so much. I haven't had to use land lines for a long time. Yeah! Thanks to OOma.

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  2. i think we are pretty much the same....we only have one electricity provider here in san diego, so, no, we do not have a choice :(

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    1. If there is some competition, the prices would be more favorable towards the customers and we will have choices in how or who we want to do business with.

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  3. Michigan has lots of providers, and several suppliers but Michigan Public Utilities Commission decides which areas get which companies. We can still select our own supplier. The commission governs the utility companies and can actually fine them if they get out of line. We have only water company in our city but can select our own recycle and garbage pick up.

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    1. Wow Judy, as far as I am concern, Michigan is probably much more advanced then CA in terms of utilities! I envy that.

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  4. Hi S.S. ~~ I too live in Texas, Montgomery Country for us. There are soooo many electric companies for most of the state that it isn't funny. Except we, like you must be, are in an area not covered by the deregulation laws.

    So we are stuck with Entergy (formerly Louisiana Light and Power) for electricity. Same with cable TV, phone, and gas. We have a big propane tank in the front yard so don't do gas.

    Happy Ground Hog Day! I think we are finished with winter, don't you?
    ..

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    1. I kind of hope we are finished with winter. I am always freezing, I would love to move to warmer climate when I can. Aw...you live in Texas yet in the area where there's no choices...that's quite a bummer!

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  5. There are several providers in our state but only two in our local area. One is a rural electric company and the other is the large multi-state provider.

    We do have a choice but since my hubby works for the large electric company (and gets an employee discount) we of course go with that one.

    We only have one choice for cable here, I would like to see more available.

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    1. You are lucky to have hubby with a discount. We use so much electricity now with the computer and all the e- gadgets it's not even funny. Let a lone, I love to have heat in the winter and it could run up the bills quite a bit!

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  6. Good site actually with questions. I like it actually.

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    1. Thanks, I checked out your site too. It's quite interesting. Have to learn more about it.

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    2. Hello Self Sagacity,

      Thanks for your reply.

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  7. At this time, we have one major utility source, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Thankfully, TVA has been competitive in keeping their prices lower than most northern company utilities.

    I don't fully understand why we don't have many options for shopping for our power source even after the degregulation back in the 90s. This could possibly be available in the distant future, but I'm not holding my breath. The large utility companies still hold a monopoly and I think I read somewhere that some states are slow to allow new construction of power plants.

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    1. I agree with you fully. I don't understand and I would like it if the consumers have some choices! Especially the internet- this effects everyone's productivity, and right now, Comcast and ATT is the only big company that offers internet. It is so frustrating.

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  8. Nope we only have one!
    Have a nice weekend - glad we're back on each other's radar again!

    Ramona
    http://create-with-joy.com

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  9. We have a choice...various providers. Didn't use to!

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  10. In our city we have two. I'm not sure about the state, but I'm glad we have a choice. Citizens should always have choices, that's why I hate when one company runs the other out of business.

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  11. Hi, I am trying to link my url for this week's Thursday 2 ? but I can't do it. anyway, here is the link http://www.ruthinian.com/2012/02/c-for-scary.html thanks and more power.

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