Lawmaker Promises Changes As Energy Customers Face Rising Bills

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He said variable kilowatt rates for their provider Dynowatt haveincreased and the latest bill was over 24 cents.
"At no time did they mention the rate could skyrocket 50 percent,"McKee said.
He said they had trouble complaining about the issue.
"We can't even talk to somebody face to face, we've got to get themon the phone. That's just not acceptable," McKee said.
Weatherford State Rep. Phil King (R), who leads the house committeethat regulates utilities, said he promises some tougher rules forderegulated Texas electric providers who have been shocking manycustomers this summer.
"I will sponsor legislation in the legislature to change thatthreshold entry level for these start-up companies," he said.
King said he believes deregulation and competition are working.
"It's starting to have good strong downward pressure on prices," hesaid. "The problem is natural gas rates are exceptionally high andthat's how we make 70 percent of the electricity in Texas."
Kind said more coal and nuclear power would reduce rates and saidconsumers must be better shoppers, to avoid the shock of variablerates.
"Changes would make it work, right now it doesn't work," McKeesaid.
The McKees said they switched to a different company with a lockedin rate.
No one with Dynowatt returned NBC 5's messages Wednesday.
More information:

Information on comparing providers

Information about the Texas Public Utility Commission

Comparison of Electric rates between companies and past years