This week, 148 plans were analyzed in the CenterPoint Energy Electric Price Index, from 43 providers.
- Six-month plans are currently priced lower than one-year plans, as we saw in late April of 2011. Both plan types could be purchased for $103 per month in early April of 2011; today the average price is $96 for six-month plans and $95 for one-year plans (per month).
- The price of six-month plans rose less than $1 last week, following the same steady increase that has been typical so far this year. However, the average six-month plan price is currently $6 less expensive per month than it was in April, 2011.
- The average price of one-year plans dropped slightly this week, making them $2 a month cheaper than in March and $7.50 per-month cheaper than a year ago.
- The average price of two-year plans is $4 cheaper per month compared to March, 2011.
- Over the last month, the "Green Premium", or the amount “extra” you pay for 100 percent renewable energy, increased more than $1 per month for two-year plans. However, even with this increase, the average green plan is only 23 cents per month more expensive than a standard two-year plan. As the dark green line in the chart below shows, the premium for two-year green plans is virtually zero. By contrast, the Green Premium for one-year plans (as shown in the medium shade of green) is just over $6 a month.