PUCT — Public Utility Commission of Texas
Texas Electricity Glossary
PUCT (Public Utility Commission of Texas) is the state agency that regulates Texas electricity, telecommunications, and water utilities. In the electricity market, PUCT licenses every retail electric provider (REP), approves TDU delivery charge tariffs, enforces consumer protection rules, and oversees the Power to Choose comparison marketplace. PUCT does not set competitive electricity rates — in the deregulated ERCOT market, prices are determined by competition — but it sets the rules every REP must follow.
What PUCT Regulates
Retail Electric Providers: Every company that sells electricity to Texas consumers must hold a PUCT license. PUCT can revoke licenses, issue fines, and mandate customer protections when REPs violate rules. After Winter Storm Uri, PUCT took emergency action against several REPs that improperly billed customers at wholesale spot prices.
TDU Tariffs: Oncor, CenterPoint Energy, AEP Texas, and TNMP are regulated monopolies. They cannot raise delivery charges without PUCT approval. PUCT reviews rate cases filed by TDUs, typically every few years, and approves tariff schedules that apply to all customers in each territory.
Consumer Rights: PUCT sets the rules for disconnection notice periods, deposit limits, switching timelines (typically 1–2 billing cycles), and the content required in the Electricity Facts Label (EFL).
PUCT and Power to Choose
PUCT operates powertochoose.org — the official state website where every licensed REP must list its plans. All plan details shown on Power to Choose are submitted by REPs under PUCT oversight. TexasPowerCost.com pulls the same underlying data via the official Power to Choose API to calculate true monthly costs.
Filing a Complaint with PUCT
If your REP bills you incorrectly, refuses to honor contract terms, or fails to provide required notices, you can file a complaint at puc.texas.gov or call 1-888-782-8477. PUCT's Consumer Protection division investigates complaints and has authority to require refunds and impose fines.
Related Terms
- ERCOT — the grid operator that PUCT oversees
- REP — must be PUCT-licensed to sell electricity in Texas
- TDU Charge — the regulated delivery fee PUCT approves
- EFL — the disclosure document PUCT requires for every plan
- Power to Choose — the PUCT-run comparison marketplace
All plans, PUCT-filed data: TexasPowerCost.com uses official Power to Choose API data — the same filings regulated by PUCT — to calculate your true monthly electricity cost. Compare plans for your ZIP.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does PUCT stand for?
PUCT stands for Public Utility Commission of Texas. It is the three-member state regulatory agency that oversees the electric, telecommunications, and water utility sectors in Texas.
What can I do if my REP overcharges me?
File a complaint with PUCT at puc.texas.gov. PUCT investigates consumer complaints against licensed REPs and has authority to impose fines or revoke REP licenses. Always keep your contract terms and bills as documentation.
Does PUCT set electricity rates?
PUCT does not set retail electricity rates in the deregulated ERCOT market — competition determines those. However, PUCT does approve TDU delivery charge tariffs filed by Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP Texas, and TNMP, which are regulated monopolies.