Houston is a city in Texas, in the United States.
Houston energy companies are involved in electricity production, coal, petroleum, hydroelectricity, and nuclear power. The state of Texas participates in the Power to Choose program, which allows consumers to shop around among electricity and energy providers. As a result, retail electricity and utility providers there must compete for customers. The program also helps consumers save over $50 per month on energy bills during the summer season.
Electricity providers in Houston must be certified by the Texas Public Utility Commission.
Following are the energy providers in Houston:
- CPL Retail Energy
- Direct Energy
- Gexa Energy
- Green Mountain Energy
- Reliant Energy
- TXU Energy
Houston is the region's center for oil and natural gas. The area has a sound energy and chemical industry foundation. Of course, the region's dense concentration of oil expertise also helps. The energy sector also boasts a substantial work force, with 48% of the region's employment being related to energy. The headquarters of 17 energy related Fortune 500 companies are located in Houston. The city also houses the Offshore Technology Conference. There are more than 3600 energy related establishments in Houston, as well as 13 of the 20 largest natural gas transmission companies, 600 exploration and production firms and more than 170 pipeline operators.
Another notable fact is that in recent years companies like CITGO, Noble and other smaller energy related companies have relocated to Houston.
Alternative energy sources in Houston are wind, biodiesel, hybrid technology, ethanol, hydrogen fuel cells.
Some of the top energy companies in Houston are:
- Amerada Hess Corporation
- Anadarko Corporation
- Baker Hughes Incorporated
- BHP Billiton
- Chevron Texaco
- Cooper Cameron Corporation
- CITGO Petroleum Corporation
- ConocoPhillips
- ExxonMobil
- Halliburton
- Kerr McGee Oil & Gas Corporation
- Shell Oil Company
The major energy events in Houston are the Offshore Technology Conference and the Energy Venture Forum. The first is held annually in Houston, and is the energy industry's main conference and exhibition focusing on deep water offshore technology. The second is held at Houston's Rice University, and introduces the most potential early-stage energy-related technology companies to leading venture capitalists.
- Someone looking to move or expand energy business in Houston can contact the Economic Development Division of the Greater Houston Partnership
- The Greater Houston Partnership's Business Houston is The Guide to Owning, Expanding Or Relocating a Business in Houston
- The Greater Houston Partnership's Energy Capital Houston
- Houston Minority Business Council
- The Business, Science and Technology Department of the Houston Public Library
- City of Houston's One-Stop Business Center
- Small Business Administration
- State of Texas Economic Development
- University of Houston Small Business Development Center
