Public Utility Commission of Texas

The PUC of Texas exists to protect consumers, foster competition & promote quality infrastructure.

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) is a state agency that regulates the state’s electric and telecommunication utilities, implements respective legislation, and offers customer assistance in resolving consumer complaints. In 1975, the Texas Legislature enacted the Public Utility Regulatory Act (PURA) and created the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) to provide statewide regulatio

n of the rates and services of electric and telecommunications utilities. Roughly twenty years later, the combined effects of significant Texas legislation in 1995 and the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 resulted in competition in telecommunication’s wholesale and retail services and the creation of a competitive electric wholesale market. Further changes in the 1999 Texas Legislature not only called for a restructuring of the electric utility industry but also created new legislation that ensured the protection of customers’ rights in the new competitive environment. Over the years, these various changes have dramatically re-shaped the PUC’s mission and focus, shifting from up-front regulation of rates and services to oversight of competitive markets and compliance enforcement of statutes and rules. Since the introduction of competition in both the local and long distance telecommunications markets and the wholesale and retail electric markets, the PUC has also played an important role in overseeing the transition to competition and ensuring that customers receive the intended benefits of competition. Additionally, the PUC regulates the rates and services of transmission and distribution utilities that operate where there is competition, investor-owned electric utilities where competition has not been chosen, and incumbent local exchange companies that have not elected incentive regulation. The PUC’s mission is to “protect customers, foster competition, and promote high quality infrastructure.”

The agency is headquartered in the William B. Travis State Office Building at 1701 North Congress in Austin.

06/01/2026

Texans Encouraged to Prepare and Stay Informed Throughout 2026 Hurricane Season - PUCT website hosts outage map, utility contact information. Read more: https://ow.ly/B02U50Z6iqP

Photos from Public Utility Commission of Texas's post

05/29/2026

Public Utility Commission of Texas Comm. Courtney Hjaltman, joined by ERCOT Board Vice Chair Peggy Heeg, Board Member Christopher Krummel, and ERCOT staff touring CenterPoint Energy's facilities, including their Emergency Ops Ctr ahead of FIFA World Cup and .

05/29/2026

PUCT Executes Agreement for Second Texas Energy Fund Completion Bonus Grant. Read more: https://ow.ly/phzc50Z5JbA

05/29/2026

Severe storms may kick up across West/Northwest Texas today.

Do you have a plan for yourself and your family?

Stay prepared and stay informed.

05/29/2026

Our open meetings are streamed live for your convenience and to keep you informed of essential decisions related to water, wastewater, electricity, and telecom utilities in Texas. Be sure to tune in at 9:30 a.m. CST today: https://www.adminmonitor.com/tx/puct/open_meeting/20260529/ [CC Provided]

05/28/2026

If you need more time to pay your utility bills, there is assistance available. Contact your provider to find out your options. Learn about more programs here: https://ow.ly/mG8y50WGGf4

05/28/2026

Governor Abbott has proclaimed May 25th - 30th Hurricane Preparedness Week in Texas.

Texans are encouraged to review emergency plans, build disaster supply kits, and stay informed ahead of hurricane season which begins Monday, June 1st.

05/27/2026

Prepaid plans provide service on a "pay-as-you-go" basis. These plans don’t require a deposit and don’t always have a contract, but they do require you to prepay for your electricity in a timely manner. Visit https://Powertochoose.org to learn more!