Come May, lower electricity rates for some

If you're one of the 470,000 customers on Reliant Energy's "residential service plan," congratulations, you just saved 1.7 cents per kilowatt-hour. According to the Chronicle, Reliant's new rates will bring the residential service plan in line with the company's 12-month fixed-rate plan. Customers were automatically put on this plan if they didn't switch from "price to beat" before deregulation was completed at the beginning of this year. The plan is not available to new customers.

Reliant really is giving it away: consumers will also be receiving a $25 credit due to lower natural gas prices this month. They also introduced a month-to-month wind plan at the low, low price of 14.6 cents per kilowatt-hour. Nice. Mayor White was pleased as punch about this news:

Saving energy and saving Houstonians money on energy costs are two of our most important priorities as we continue to keep our city growing at its remarkable pace. Seeing energy providers respond as the summer cooling season begins is encouraging. Also, adding options for environmentally friendly renewable sources like wind is another step in the right direction.

Expect the savings to be reflected in your bill starting May 21.