Glossary
Affiliate Retail Electric Provider:
The Affiliate Retail Electric Provider (AREP) was part of the original electric company that generated and sold electricity in your area. That company has been split into the AREP and the Local Wires Company. Now the AREP only sells electricity and provides customer service.
Competitive Retail Electric Provider:
The Competitive Retail Electric Provider (CREP) is certified by the PUC and sells electricity to homes and businesses and provides functions like customer service and billing. Ignite’s parent company, Stream Energy, is an example of a CREP.
Delivery:
The transmission of electricity over poles and wires to a home or business. These services are provided by the Local Wires Company, which is still responsible for maintaining the poles and wires, and responding to emergencies and power outages. The PUC still regulates delivery to ensure the safety and reliability of electric service.
Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT):
The corporation that administers and maintains the reliability of the state’s electrical power grid. When you choose a new REP, ERCOT will send you a postcard confirming your switch from one REP to another.
Electricity Facts Label:
An information sheet required by the PUC that provides customers with standardized information on a REP’s prices, contracts, sources of power generation and emissions. It allows customers to make an apples to apples comparison of REP offers. Retail Electric Providers must provide this disclosure to all customers at time of enrollment.
ESI-ID:
The ESI-ID is your Electric Service Identifier. Each meter is assigned an ESI-ID that can be found on your electric bill and is required for enrollment.
Generation:
The production of electricity. In Texas, electricity is produced by a number of methods including natural gas, coal, nuclear power, wind, water and solar energy. The generation of electricity is deregulated.
Kilowatt-hour (kWh):
A unit of energy equal to one kilowatt (Kw) of power expended for one hour of time. The amount of electricity used each billing period is expressed in terms of a kilowatt-hour and is noted on your bill.
Local Wires Company:
The company that transmits and delivers electricity to a customer’s home or business along the poles and wires (formerly a local electric utility). This company is still responsible for the maintenance and repair of these poles and wires and responding to emergencies and power outages.
Provider of Last Resort:
The Provider of Last Resort serves as the “back-up” provider when a REP leaves the market for any reason. If this happens, customers may switch back to the Affiliate Retail Electric Provider or choose another Competitive Retail Electric Provider offering electric service in the area.
Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC):
The state agency that is responsible for the regulation and oversight of electric services in Texas. The PUC regulates the delivery of electricity and enforces customer protections.
Slamming:
Switching electric service without a customer’s approval. This practice is illegal and penalties are enforced by the PUC.
Terms of Service:
A contract between a Retail Electric Provider and a customer that outlines fees, length of service and other important information. Retail Electric Providers must provide this disclosure to all customers at time of enrollment.
Your Rights as a Customer Disclosure:
A document that informs you of your rights as mandated by the PUC. Retail Electric Providers must provide this disclosure to all customers at time of enrollment.
