What Happens If You Don't Select a Lubbock Electricity Provider?

Don’t get stuck with a default retail electric provider

LUBBOCK – If you don’t select a provider on your own before February 15, 2024, you will be automatically assigned to a Default Retail Electric Provider (DREP). You do not have a choice in your provider if you fail to make a selection in time.

There are three electricity providers with this status:

Reliant Energy
Octopus Energy
TXU Energy

You may feel overwhelmed by the onslaught of information from the dozens of providers vying for your attention, messages from Lubbock Power & Light or ERCOT, and the often confusing interface of powertochoose.org.

We encourage you to make a decision anyway, because the default plans are not a good option for your budget. According to the Public Utility Commission of Texas, these services are “relatively high-priced, due to the costs associated with planning and the risk of serving an uncertain number of customers with uncertain electricity loads.”

If you do not select a provider on your own, the default provider you’re assigned to will enroll in a month-to-month plan.

We do not recommend month-to-month plans for several reasons:

They are typically more expensive than simple fixed-rate plans.
The rate changes every single month — there’s no guarantee that your rate won’t increase over time.
In fact, it’s very likely that you will end up paying more for energy if you delay your decision-making until the summer, as the cost of energy production increases.

Choosing the best energy plan

Choose a simple fixed rate plan

Sign up for a fixed rate plan so your rate doesn’t spiral out of control during the summer when the cost of energy production increases. The BKV Energy Bluebonnet plan offers an affordable fixed rate.

Avoid base charges

Many electricity companies tack on a monthly base charge up to $9.95 or more, regardless of how much electricity you consume. Opt for a plan that comes without this unnecessary fee.

Our Bluebonnet will never include a monthly base charge.

Stay away from usage fees

Some retail providers charge extra if you use the “wrong” amount of energy during a billing period. We recommend staying away from plans with these fees.

Signing up for the Bluebonnet plan with BKV Energy means you will never be charged extra based on your usage.

Double-check the Early Termination Fee

ETF fees can range from $150 to $300 and higher. Look for plans that offer a cancellation fee that decreases as your contract ages.

At BKV Energy, you can cancel within the first 30 days through our 30-Day Power Pilot at no cost. After that, it’s $20 per remaining month on your contract.

Select a balanced contract length

We recommend selecting a plan in the middle range, lasting between 9-24 months.

Plans with these lengths offer the perfect balance between rate stability, potential early termination fees, and flexibility to switch to another plan or provider.

Always check the Electricity Facts Label

Always, always, always check the Electricity Facts Label before enrolling in a plan.

Enter your zip code to get started

Texans can save up to $500 per year with BKV Energy compared to other providers.

Our Bluebonnet plan especially puts customers first, thanks to our Reduce Your Rate, our system that automatically searches for opportunities to lower your rate. You can switch plans in the middle of a contract at no cost!

Enter your zip code below to explore affordable fixed-rate plans without extra fees and other nonsense.

Written by Graham Lumley

Graham Lumley is the Growth Product Manager at BKV Energy, a retail electricity provider in Texas' deregulated market, where he has worked since 2023. He analyzes customer usage and billing data, helps develop BKV's fixed-rate plans, and creates tools to simplify Texas electricity shopping. He has written over 200 articles on Texas electricity rates, delivery charges, plan types, energy generation, and more to help Texans understand their bills and pay less. With over 10 years of experience in consumer products, marketing, and energy, he explains the Texas electricity market in plain language.