{"id":23418,"date":"2025-12-15T16:07:04","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T16:07:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/chariot-university\/energy-choice\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T22:14:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T22:14:25","slug":"energy-choice","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/chariot-university\/energy-choice\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Energy Choice? Moving the Energy Industry Forward"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\n.chariot-article {\n  max-width: 800px;\n  margin: 0 auto;\n  padding: 40px;\n  font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \"Segoe UI\", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, sans-serif;\n  font-size: 18px;\n  line-height: 1.8;\n  color: #333;\n}\n.chariot-article h1 {\n  font-size: 2.5em;\n  font-weight: 700;\n  line-height: 1.2;\n  margin: 0 0 30px 0;\n  color: #1a1a1a;\n}\n.chariot-article h2 {\n  font-size: 1.8em;\n  font-weight: 600;\n  line-height: 1.3;\n  margin: 50px 0 20px 0;\n  color: #1a1a1a;\n  border-bottom: 2px solid #f7931e;\n  padding-bottom: 10px;\n}\n.chariot-article h3 {\n  font-size: 1.4em;\n  font-weight: 600;\n  line-height: 1.4;\n  margin: 40px 0 15px 0;\n  color: #333;\n}\n.chariot-article h4 {\n  font-size: 1.2em;\n  font-weight: 600;\n  margin: 30px 0 10px 0;\n  color: #444;\n}\n.chariot-article p {\n  margin: 0 0 20px 0;\n}\n.chariot-article img {\n  max-width: 100%;\n  height: auto;\n  border-radius: 8px;\n  margin: 30px 0;\n  display: block;\n}\n.chariot-article figure {\n  margin: 30px 0;\n}\n.chariot-article figcaption {\n  font-size: 0.9em;\n  color: #666;\n  text-align: center;\n  margin-top: 10px;\n  font-style: italic;\n}\n.chariot-article ul, .chariot-article ol {\n  margin: 20px 0 20px 30px;\n  padding: 0;\n}\n.chariot-article li {\n  margin-bottom: 12px;\n  line-height: 1.6;\n}\n.chariot-article a {\n  color: #f7931e;\n  text-decoration: none;\n  border-bottom: 1px solid transparent;\n  transition: border-color 0.2s;\n}\n.chariot-article a:hover {\n  border-bottom-color: #f7931e;\n}\n.chariot-article blockquote {\n  border-left: 4px solid #f7931e;\n  margin: 30px 0;\n  padding: 20px 30px;\n  background: #f9f9f9;\n  font-style: italic;\n  color: #555;\n}\n.chariot-article strong {\n  font-weight: 600;\n  color: #1a1a1a;\n}\n.chariot-article em {\n  font-style: italic;\n}\n.chariot-article hr {\n  border: none;\n  border-top: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\n  margin: 40px 0;\n}\n.chariot-article table {\n  width: 100%;\n  border-collapse: collapse;\n  margin: 30px 0;\n}\n.chariot-article th, .chariot-article td {\n  padding: 12px 15px;\n  text-align: left;\n  border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\n}\n.chariot-article th {\n  background: #f5f5f5;\n  font-weight: 600;\n}\n@media (max-width: 768px) {\n  .chariot-article {\n    padding: 20px;\n    font-size: 16px;\n  }\n  .chariot-article h1 { font-size: 2em; }\n  .chariot-article h2 { font-size: 1.5em; }\n  .chariot-article h3 { font-size: 1.25em; }\n}\n<\/style>\n<div class=\"chariot-article\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3126\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" height=\"1815\" src=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Real-scaled-2.jpeg\" width=\"2560\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<p>The energy industry can seem complicated at times. It\u2019s true whether you\u2019re new to a state with energy choice or if you\u2019ve lived there your whole life. We\u2019ll be the first to admit that some of the terminology is a bit confusing \u2014 and we\u2019re industry experts. That\u2019s why we want to help you understand why energy choice \u2014 <strong>the freedom to choose how you buy electricity and natural gas <\/strong>\u2014 is so important to consumers.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Basics of Energy Choice<\/h2>\n<p>Having the power to choose your electricity provider and select an energy plan that suits your lifestyle is pretty awesome \u2014 for you <em>and <\/em>the energy industry as a whole! The competition forces energy companies to focus on low energy prices and high customer service, which ultimately leads to a better customer experience.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Energy deregulation also allows you to purchase renewable power instead of fossil fuels! Under the old model, you had to buy brown power from the utility company, because that\u2019s all that was available. Now, you have the freedom to support renewable power generators \u2014 like Chariot! \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n<p>Yes, the electricity marketplace has lots of rules, regulations and jargon. Terms like \u201cvariable rate,\u201d \u201cretail electricity provider\u201d and \u201cpublic utility commission assessment\u201d can make your eyes glaze over. In fact, we wrote a whole article breaking down <a href=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/residential\/\">how to find an electric plan in Texas<\/a> that fits your lifestyle.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>That said, you don\u2019t need to be an expert to understand energy choice. You really only need to be aware of a few concepts.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Two Types of Energy Choice: Electricity &amp; Natural Gas<\/h2>\n<p>The U.S. has around 17 deregulated energy states. Some have either a deregulated electricity market or gas market, while others have both. For those states without energy choice, their electricity rates are set by the public utility commission (a concept we explain below). It\u2019s basically a vertical monopoly, in which one organization owns the entire supply chain from generation to usage.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/energy-choice-chart.png\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>Source: <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.electricchoice.com\/map-deregulated-energy-markets\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Electric Choice<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p>For our purposes, we\u2019re talking about electricity specifically, but natural gas supply is very much the same.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Difference Between Generators, Energy Suppliers &amp; Utility Companies<\/h2>\n<p>In a deregulated energy market, three key players drive the activity. All of them are \u201cenergy companies,\u201d but each has specific responsibilities:<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Generator<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3128\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Real-2-scaled-1.jpeg\" width=\"2560\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<p>These companies create electricity. For renewable energy companies like Chariot, they are responsible for taking potential energy found in wind, solar, natural gas, and other green sources and turning it into electricity. Traditional generators process coal, natural gas, and other fossil fuels to create electricity.<\/p>\n<p>Once the electricity is generated, it\u2019s added to the grid. It will then travel miles and miles on power lines to be delivered to homes and businesses for use.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Chariot Energy, in tandem with our affiliate partners, is a generator since we create electricity from solar panels, but we\u2019re also an energy supplier.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Energy Supplier<\/h3>\n<p>Energy suppliers are the companies that sell electricity plans to consumers. In Texas, they\u2019re called retail electricity providers (or REPs). These companies purchase electricity on behalf of its customers at the best possible rate on the market. At Chariot, we\u2019re both a generator and supplier, meaning we generate electricity and sell that solar-powered electricity to consumers.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Utility<\/h3>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3133\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"5088\" src=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Real-3-3.jpeg\" width=\"8226\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>This is the company you call when there\u2019s a power outage. if you live in a deregulated state, they are not responsible for selling you electricity. Instead, they\u2019re in charge of making sure that enough electricity is being generated and that the electricity you buy is successfully, and without fail, delivered to your door.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>They\u2019re also in charge of <a href=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/chariot-university\/read-your-electric-meter-energy-consumption-guide\/\">reading your electric meter<\/a>, as well as performing maintenance on the lines, poles, and related infrastructure. The utility company for your area is regulated by a public utility commission (PUC), the organization that oversees a state\u2019s electric, telecommunication, and water and sewer utilities.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common Terms Used in Electric Plans<\/h2>\n<p>To understand your electricity plan, you need to understand the following terms:\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Variable rate:<\/strong> Customers who opt for a variable-rate plan will see their electricity rate change on a month-to-month basis. This rate can change every month, but you aren\u2019t bound by a contract.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fixed rate<\/strong>: A fixed-rate energy plan locks in a rate over a specific period of time. It\u2019s bound by a contract, so if rates go up, yours won\u2019t. But if electric rates go down, it will stay the same. People opt for such plans because of their stability.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Contract term length:<\/strong> If you opt for a fixed-rate plan, then you need to know how long you\u2019ll be held to that rate before you can switch to a new plan without paying a fine.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li><strong>Electricity Facts Label (EFL):<\/strong> Texas law requires REPs to provide customers with an <a href=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/blog\/understanding-your-efl\/\">Electricity Facts Label<\/a>. This is the document that provides everything you need to know about your plan.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Early Termination Fee (ETF):<\/strong> What you have to pay if you break your contract early. It varies from provider to provider, often by contract term length.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>While there are many more terms \u2014 some useful and others completely unnecessary \u2014 these five will point you in the right direction.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Energy Choice <em>Can <\/em>Be Complicated, But It\u2019s Really Not<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3132\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1697\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Real-4-scaled-1.jpeg\" width=\"2560\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<p>Don\u2019t fret: buying electricity for your home isn\u2019t as complicated as some people make it out to be. In reality, energy choice is simple and empowering! To know that you \u2014 yes, you \u2014 are shaping the present and future of the energy industry is pretty impressive. After all, it\u2019s your choice.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Energy choice lets you pick your own energy supplier so you can enjoy innovation, lower energy prices and affordable renewable energy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":23530,"parent":627,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-23418","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23418","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23418"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23418\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/627"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23530"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23418"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}