Hurricane Ike Closes Down Houston Electric Providers
September 11, 2008
Storm causes electric providers in Houston to move out of the city and set up shop in remote offices. Most energy providers will basically be closed for business until Monday or Tuesday. Houston Texas remains the hub location for most retail electric providers in the state of Texas. Because of the Hurricane Ike issue there will be a mass exodus and closing of electric companies in Texas during the next few days. If you are trying to lock in to an electric rate for your commercial business you may find that many electric providers as well as energy consultants will be unavailable to assist during this time. Not to worry, electricity providers in Texas will be open for business Monday or Tuesday at the latest. If you are needing to lock in to an affordable residential Houston electric rate you will have no problem as this can be accomplished through an online sign up process. Feel free to check out affordable Houston and Dallas residential electric rates on our “Rates” page.
Even though Hurricane Ike has caused multiple oil and gas rigs and plants to close down operations we have still seen oil and natural gas prices drop significantly. Usually hurricane season has a direct impact on natural gas prices when a hurricane materializes in the gulf. This has not yet happened as a downward shorting pressure on natural gas has offset any potential increase that hurricane Ike would have brought to natural gas prices. Natural gas directly affects the price of Texas electricity which can cause what once was considered an affordable energy rate in Texas to be much higher in just a few days time. If you noticed a cheap rate a week a go don’t count on that rate being as cheap a few days later. Electric rates in Texas are very volatile and a hurricane can cause electric rates to jump a penny or higher in just a few days. We are fortunate as natural gas prices continue to go down even while hurricane Ike threatens the gulf. This scenario is usually much worse. When the hurricane hits the coast and if it destroys natural gas infrastructure and hurts production then electric prices in Houston could go up. This is still yet to be seen.
Today is September 11 2008 and we at Affordable Energy rates remember the victims and families of 9-11 and our prayers are with you this memorial day. We will not forget this day and we pray that the US military will find the terrorists and that justice will be served against them.