Ugghhh---Like most consumer goods, electricity prices are higher this year.
Primary drivers for the increase include:
increased natural gas prices which raise the costs of power plants
premiums being added to this Winter's rates b/c of lingering effects from last February's Freeze event
Last year "energy" rates were below 4 cents. This year the best "energy" rate is over 6 cents. When you add the "transmission" rate (about 5 cents in Centerpoint) the total rate is over 11.
Electricity rates will drop if/when:
winter weather is warmer and decreases natural gas demand
ERCOT (Humpty Dumpty) does not fall off of the wall again