Who We Are
The Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC) was created by the Texas Legislature in 1983 to represent the interests of residential and small commercial consumers, as a class, in utility proceedings in Texas. Pursuant to its current statutory mission, OPUC represents residential and small commercial consumers, as a class, in the electric, water, wastewater, and telecommunications utility industries in Texas. OPUC primarily represents these consumers before the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), state courts and Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).
In contested case proceedings at the PUCT and SOAH and appeals of PUCT decisions in state court, OPUC provides legal representation and technical expertise to represent, protect, and promote consumer interests, which includes ensuring that consumers pay just and reasonable utility rates. In rulemaking and policy projects at the PUCT, OPUC provides policy, regulatory, legal and technical expertise to represent, protect, and promote consumer interests, which includes ensuring adequate customer protection safeguards. At ERCOT, OPUC provides market policy advocacy and technical expertise to represent, protect, and promote consumer interests in the ERCOT governance and stakeholder processes.
What We Do
In 2023, OPUC represented Texas consumers in 30 contested cases, 26 projects, and three appeals, resulting in approximately $180 million in utility bill savings. OPUC is strongly committed to providing high quality legal, regulatory, policy, and professional representation on behalf of our state’s millions of residential and small commercial consumers in the electric, water, wastewater, and telecommunications industries in Texas.
Residential and small commercial consumers are encouraged to contact our office if you need assistance. You may also find helpful information by following us on Facebook, LinkedIn , and Twitter.