What a renewable plan means
Power from all plants flows into one shared grid. You cannot receive electricity from one wind farm at your outlet while your neighbor receives it from a gas plant. A renewable plan works on paper: the provider buys renewable energy, or certificates that represent it, to match the power its customers use.
A renewable energy certificate is a record that one megawatt-hour was produced from a renewable source. When a provider retires a certificate for you, it is claiming that production on your behalf. The result is that more renewable energy is paid for, and your own electricity is still physically the same grid mix.
What the label has to show
The Electricity Facts Label states the percentage of renewable content for the plan and the percentage for the statewide average generation mix. Put the two side by side. A plan with a share much higher than the statewide figure is doing something real. A plan close to the statewide figure is not adding much.
Source: 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 25.475, information disclosures to residential and small commercial customers. Rule text checked October 9, 2026. Rules can change, so confirm on the Public Utility Commission of Texas site before you rely on a detail.
What it costs
Green plans can cost more or less than other plans, and the gap changes over time. Do not assume a premium or a discount. Use the label price at your usage and compare it with similar plans of the same term, and ask what share of the energy is covered and for how long.
Questions that separate a real green plan from a label
- What percent of my usage is matched with renewable energy or certificates, and does the label say so?
- Does the plan renew at the same renewable share?
- Where do the certificates or the energy come from, and who verifies it?
- Does the plan carry a base charge or credit that changes the price at my usage?
Sources and rules
Frequently asked questions
What does 100 percent renewable electricity mean in Texas?
It means the provider matches the energy its customers use with renewable energy or renewable energy certificates. Your electricity is still delivered from the shared grid.
Where do I see how renewable a plan is?
On the Electricity Facts Label, which must state the renewable content of the plan and of the statewide average generation mix.
Are green plans more expensive?
Not always. Prices vary by plan and by day. Compare the label price at your usage with similar plans that have the same term.
Does a green plan change who delivers my power?
No. The delivery company stays the same, and so do outage reporting and meter service.