Local residents have opportunity to participate in electric plan "auction" for potential savings

By LYNETTE SOWELL 

Cove Leader-Press 

While the high temperatures of summer have meant high power bills for many electricity customers, a Texas-based company is presenting the opportunity for locals to put their names in the hat for an electricity plan “auction” that could possibly save them some money. 

iChoosr is an organization that conducts an electricity plan “auction” among electric providers through the Texas Power Switch. 

Along with Copperas Cove, the Texas cities of Fate, Waco, Eagle Pass, Port Lavaca, Wilmer, Seadrift, Dickinson, Richland Hills, Mansfield, McAllen, Santa Fe, Cedar Hill, Webster, Farmers Branch, Lake Dallas and Tomball have been participants with iChoosr LLC. 

iChoosr goes out to electricity companies with a list in hand of Texas residents who are interested in a lower rate. Then, iChoosr gets offers from electric providers. 

After the Texas Power Switch auction, residents will receive an offer for a new electric plan from a provider, often at significant savings. 

“You aren’t obligated to accept any offers we provide to you,” Kelle Balch, Director of Community Relations for iChoosr. “If this plan we present to you doesn’t beat what you already have, you don’t have to take it. But you can apply during the next round.”

Although there are websites which show a variety of offers from a number of Texas electricity providers, for a few months only, after which the rate can increase dramatically. 

Balch encourages residents to take out their most recent electric bill and look at the cost per kilowatt hour, or kWh. 

“Electricity companies often offer a discount the more electricity you use, such as at the 2,000-kWh mark. However, many customers don’t realize that, and they wonder why they are paying more when they’re using less power.”

Participating in the auction is simple, Balch said. First, register online at

 https://texaspowerswitch.com/copperascove/en/home?utm_source=online&utm_medium=media&utm_campaign=article%20&utm_content=copperascove. Then, the auction will take place on Sept. 26, and iChoosr will go out to get competitive rates from electric providers. Then, participants will receive an email in October with the offered plans. If they like what they see, there is a deadline to switch. 

After accepting the offer, the customer will receive a notice from their new company about the new plan, with billing and payment terms, and then the transfer will take place. 

The next Power Switch auction will take place in January 2024, so if customers don’t participate this time around, they will have the chance to do so again. 

Note: Electricity customers who receive their service via an electric "co-op" are unable to participate.