Military Resources
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Every year, OPUC, by law, must conduct an annual meeting to give the public an opportunity to comment on the agency’s functions and effectiveness and assist the office in developing a plan of priorities. OPUC’s 2010 annual meeting in Killeen revealed a need for additional information on Texas’ competitive electric market in the state’s military communities. Several attendees expressed their concerns about Fort Hood’s off-base military personnel’s utility experiences and requested OPUC’s assistance. Based on the input received at this annual meeting, OPUC initiated meetings with base leadership early the following year and began its partnership with Fort Hood Army Base the following summer to better serve military personnel and their families. Due to the transitory nature of their service, many in Texas’ military communities have never encountered a competitive electric market; therefore they are unclear or unaware of the benefits of the market, making them potentially more susceptible to misinformation.
OPUC’s military speaker forum has expanded beyond Fort Hood to include military bases and organizations serving active Army, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Air Force, Navy, retirees, veterans, and civilians. Agency staff has taught classes, given presentations, provided base-specific newsletters, and other pertinent information for military newcomer briefings, family readiness groups, financial workshops, battalion meetings, housing offices, public affairs offices, base resource rooms, and base websites. Agency resource materials provide information to assist personnel and families in shopping the electric market, locating local and statewide utility assistance, and employing energy efficiency and conservation measures around their homes.
As the agency expands its partnerships to additional military installations in Texas, OPUC will continue to address the concerns encountered by those serving our country and update this web page with base-specific information. Information specific to military installations with an existing OPUC partnership can be viewed at the base’s tab to the right. If you are on a base that currently does not have a partnership with OPUC but would like to initiate one, or if you would like additional general information on military outreach, please send an email to customer@opuc.texas.gov with attention to Michele Gregg.
