Who’s Who in the Texas Electricity Market: The Retail Electric Provider (REP)
By energy_linguist, September 10, 2009, FAQs, News
A Retail Electric Provider, or REP, is responsible in the Texas electricity market for handling customer service, billing and selling consumer, i.e. you and I, electricity service. Known REPs such as Reliant, TXU, Bounce Energy (shameless plug), Direct Energy and First Choice Power, for example, are more or less the familiar faces when it comes to the Texas energy market, especially considering their vital role in handling the customer relationship and managing the forward-facing aspects of your electricity service.
So what in particular does an an REP provide to Texans in need of electricity?
The relationship between an REP and customer:
• New customer establishes service with an REP.
• The REP logs the order with the local Transmission & Distribution Service Provider (TDSP) and through ERCOT, a neutral third party that manages the flow of electricity to more than 22 million Texans. ERCOT's role at this stage is to ensure service is ready for turn on at specific start date.
• Post turn on, the REP manages the customer billing process, provides ongoing customer service and ensures the customer and electricity are both in good standing.
An REP is unique in the deregulated markets of Texas because each company competes for new business by offering different rate plans and pricing options, green or renewable energy, special incentives and other customer benefits to entice potential customers to sign up for service.
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