No October 1, 2026 rate change had been announced for Oncor or CenterPoint as of September 29, 2026. The biggest recent change in North Texas was Oncor’s new delivery rates, which began June 1, 2026. This article explains what changed and what could still affect your bill.
Quick Summary
Only verified changes are listed. Rates here are delivery charges, not your full bill.
| Utility | Effective Date | Previous Rate | New Rate | Change | Customer Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oncor (Dallas-Fort Worth area) | June 1, 2026 | Prior delivery rates | Not listed in sources reviewed | About +3% on the total bill | About +$4.64/month at 1,000 kWh on a 15¢/kWh plan (Oncor estimate) |
Who Sets What on a Texas Electric Bill?
If you live in a competitive area, two companies affect your bill. Your retail electricity provider sells you the electricity and sets the energy rate. Your local utility (Oncor, CenterPoint and others) owns the poles and wires and charges a delivery fee that the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) regulates. Oncor says it does not bill retail customers directly. Your provider passes its delivery charges through to you.
What Changed in 2026?
The PUC approved a settlement in Oncor’s rate case on April 17, 2026. Oncor says the new rates took effect June 1, 2026, and estimates the increase at about 3% of the total bill. Oncor may also surcharge the difference between the new and old rates for January 1 through the June start date. Oncor says it will recover that through a separate filing during 2026.
Oncor also filed its first “tracker” request on April 22, 2026, asking for an interim rate update tied to about $4.4 billion of 2025 grid investment. Oncor expected a final order and updated rates in the second half of 2026. We could not confirm a decision or an effective date.
How Much Could Your Electric Bill Change?
Oncor’s estimate is about $4.64 more per month for a customer using 1,000 kWh a month on a plan priced at 15 cents per kWh. Your own change depends on usage. We did not find an official CenterPoint figure for 2026.
Which Customers Are Affected?
Oncor’s rates apply to customers in its delivery territory, including much of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, regardless of which retail provider they choose. CenterPoint serves the Houston area. Other regulated utilities, including Entergy Texas, SWEPCO and El Paso Electric, operate outside the competitive market. We did not verify 2026 changes for them, and this article does not cover them.
What This Means for Homeowners With Solar
Higher delivery charges make electricity you avoid buying more valuable. What you earn for exports depends on your retail plan, so compare buyback terms on the plan’s Electricity Facts Label before you sign. We found no change to solar compensation rules in the sources reviewed.
What Homeowners Should Check on Their Electric Bill
- Your contract end date and whether your plan is fixed or variable.
- The energy charge (from your provider) and the delivery charge (from your utility) as separate lines.
- Any temporary surcharge line added during 2026.
- Whether your plan credits solar exports, and at what rate.
What Happens Next?
Watch for the outcome of Oncor’s tracker request and for the surcharge line on your bill through the end of 2026. Delivery rates for some Texas utilities are updated on a March/September cycle, so check your utility’s current PUC-approved tariff.
Published: September 30, 2026 Last verified: September 29, 2026
Sources
- Oncor rate case page: https://www.oncor.com/content/oncorwww/us/en/home/rate-case.html
- Oncor first-quarter 2026 results: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/oncor-reports-first-quarter-2026-results-302764848.html
- Public Utility Commission of Texas: https://www.puc.texas.gov
Fact-Check Before Publication
| Claim | Source | Status |
|---|---|---|
| PUC approved Oncor settlement April 17, 2026 | Oncor rate case page | Verified |
| New Oncor rates effective June 1, 2026 | Oncor Q1 2026 release | Verified |
| About 3% / $4.64 per month at 1,000 kWh, 15¢ plan | Oncor rate case page | Verified (Oncor estimate) |
| Surcharge for Jan 1 to effective date, recovered in 2026 | Oncor rate case page | Verified; amount and start date NOT verified |
| Oncor tracker filed April 22, 2026, ~$4.4B; final order expected 2H 2026 | Oncor Q1 2026 release | Verified; outcome NOT verified |
| Oncor does not bill retail customers directly | Oncor rate case page | Verified |
| CenterPoint delivery reset in March and September | Aggregator sites only | NOT verified from PUC; stated as “some utilities” |
| Retail plans include an Electricity Facts Label | Aggregator sites only | NOT verified from PUC |
| Rider IS surcharge details (August 1) | Aggregator only | NOT verified, left out |
| CenterPoint September 1, 2026 rate figures | Sources conflict | NOT verified, left out |
| AEP Texas, TNMP, Entergy Texas, SWEPCO, El Paso Electric | Not researched | NOT covered |
Frequently asked questions
Are Texas electricity rates going up on October 1, 2026?
We found no official October 1, 2026 change for Oncor or CenterPoint. Your energy rate depends on your retail plan, so check your plan's Electricity Facts Label for the contract end date.
Who sets my electricity rate in Texas?
In competitive areas, your retail electricity provider sets the energy rate, while your local utility charges a delivery fee regulated by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
How much did Oncor's rate case add to a bill?
Oncor estimated about 3%, or $4.64 per month, for a customer using 1,000 kWh a month on a retail plan priced at 15 cents per kWh. New rates began June 1, 2026.