Known as the “Hub City,” Lubbock, Texas, is one of the state’s two metropolises in the South Plains regions, with the other being Amarillo. Lubbock’s nickname stems from its centrality to the cultural and economic life of the region as well as its geographic proximity to other popular destinations in Texas and New Mexico.
Many folks are moving to Texas, and many people are choosing to move to Lubbock thanks to the city’s cost of living, small-town vibe, job opportunities, and cultural and natural attractions. However, if you’ve never been to this city (or even if you have), you likely have questions and want to know more about it, including what energy deregulation will mean for the region once it goes into effect in the fall of 2023.
Join us as we walk you through some of what Lubbock, Texas, has to offer its residents before we turn our attention to the unique aspects of what deregulation means and how it will impact your household’s energy choices.
A Quick Look at Lubbock, Texas
Owing to the rich history and geography of the area, the city of Lubbock, Texas boasts many museums and landmarks that are worth seeing.
Lubbock is particularly renowned for its live music and musical heritage. There are many things to see and do in Lubbock. For example, the city is the birthplace of famed rock and roll songwriter Buddy Holly. The Buddy Holly Center in the Depot Entertainment district features exhibits detailing Holly’s rise to musical stardom, as well as memorabilia from throughout his life. You can also see a Broadway show at the Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences.
Holly isn’t the only musical icon associated with Lubbock, Texas. Mac Davis also called it home, as did Crickets drummer Jerry Allison (whose house in the Hub City can be seen not far from the Buddy Holly Center). Holly, Davis, and Allison are all inductees into the West Texas Walk of Fame, which was established to recognize the artistic and cultural contributions of denizens of West Texas. Other recognizable names include Waylon Jennings and Roy Orbison.
The Museum of Texas Tech University offers numerous impressive exhibits on paleontology, natural history, and art — free of charge. Visitors can be awed by the towering replicas of dinosaur and mammoth skeletons, intrigued by the beautiful, delicate patterns in the textiles produced by Native American tribes, or humbled by the vastness of the cosmos by the many shows offered at the Moody Planetarium.
Speaking of going back in time, the National Ranching Heritage Center features nearly 50 replicas of structures built between 1780 and 1950 that will interest anyone fascinated by Texas history. Because the structures are arranged in chronological order, they offer a perspective on how ranching in Texas changed throughout the decades. There’s also a museum onsite, and once a year, in April, the center hosts a Ranch Day.
If this still isn’t enough history, the Silent Wings Museum in the old terminal of the Lubbock airport is dedicated to preserving the memory of the American glider pilots who fought in World War II. It features replicas of the gliders used during that conflict, as well as displays of other aircraft and military equipment.
If you’re a proponent of renewable energy sources such as wind power and solar energy, you might enjoy a visit to the American Windmill Museum. Over its 28 acres is the biggest collection of windmills in the world, some dating from as far back as the 1860s, when the American Civil War was being fought.
Finally, the Lubbock Lake National Historic Landmark is an archeological site where ongoing excavations are unearthing artifacts from the tribes who populated the high plains region thousands of years ago. You can ponder the deepness of time while enjoying the views from the landmark’s 4.5 miles of walking and biking trails.
Other Destinations You’ll Want to Visit in Lubbock, Texas
If ranching, airplanes, and rock & roll aren’t your thing, there’s plenty else to check out when you visit Lubbock.
For example, the First Friday art trail is a free public art tour that occurs on the first Friday of each month. Walking through local businesses, museums, and galleries, participants can enjoy projects in various artistic media, including visual art, sculptures, and music.
The ever-popular Prairie Dog Town is exactly what it sounds like — an open space where prairie dogs live. As they’ve become accustomed to the presence of human beings, you can get an unobstructed view of the prairie dogs as they go about their days.
For the thrill-seeker, Lubbock also has a number of theme parks that are worth seeing. Castaway Cove, Lubbock Water Rampage, and Wonderland Park have rides that will delight all ages. Mackenzie Park’s famous Joyland Amusement Park sadly closed after 50 years.
Lastly, budding sommeliers who want to experience Texas wine culture will want to visit the Llano Estacado Winery. Since opening in 1976, it has made its mark creating world-class wines and making them available in Texas and abroad.
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Why Is Lubbock Growing So Fast?
Whether it’s the public education, the gorgeous caprock formations on which it’s perched, or the range of fun activities for all ages, there are many reasons why people are moving to Lubbock. One reason might be the lower cost of living, which is about 10% below the national average and 2% below the state of Texas average. And with it being the Hub City, it boasts more local jobs than most other American cities.
It’s no surprise then that Lubbock experienced healthy 4% population growth over the previous few years and is expected to be home to half a million people as early as 2050.
How Does Deregulated Electricity Work in Texas?
First, let’s establish some broader context on energy markets in Texas and the unique Texas power grid. Texas is a state with a deregulated energy market, meaning that consumers have the ability to choose which retail energy provider they wish to use.
In regulated energy markets, the only option is to buy an electricity plan from a local electric utility company. The benefits of deregulation in Lubbock will mean more competition and therefore, more competitive rates for consumers.
As things stand today, the Lubbock area is set to implement electricity deregulation in October 2023. Up until this point Lubbock Power & Light (LP&L) was the primary energy company for local residents. However, once the transition happens, LP&L will handle poles and power lines and will be the company to contact in the event of a power outage.
Where Does the Electricity in Lubbock Come From?
Throughout its recent history, electricity service in Lubbock, Texas has come from a single electric company: Lubbock Power and Light (LP&L).
For its part, LP&L has provided this electricity from its own power plants that generate up to 285.5 megawatts of power. In addition, it purchases electricity from Xcel Energy. Per the Lubbock Economic Development Alliance, roughly 7% of that energy from Excel Energy comes from wind power.
LP&L will continue generating a percentage of its power but it will purchase extra power from the ERCOT grid, which primarily uses fossil fuels for its electricity generation and about 30% from renewable energy sources like solar and wind.
When Does the Deregulated Electricity Market Open Up to Residents of Lubbock, TX?
The plan to integrate Lubbock with ERCOT goes back to about 2015. As of 2021, just shy of three-quarters (70%) of the city had completed the transition, and the remaining 30% are scheduled to move over by the end of 2023.
By year’s end, all residents should be able to choose their own electricity providers, as is the case in most of the Lone Star State.
What Are the Advantages of Lubbock Moving to ERCOT?
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) oversees the more than 50,000 miles of transmission wire that carries electricity over its electric grid to its 26 million Texan customers. All told, this amounts to 90% of electricity in the state of Texas.
One of the advantages of Lubbock electricity deregulation is that customers will be able to avail themselves of more competitive rates, which could translate into lower electricity prices. With lower electricity costs come lower electricity bills, and who doesn’t love to save money?
Another benefit is that residents will have more options and the power to choose their own retail electricity provider (REP). In Texas, there are more than 140 retail electricity providers, each with its own energy plans.
This means expanded options not just for providers but also for consumers and the types of electricity plans available. For example, Just Energy and Amigo Energy have a range of plans — including green energy plans — that will help you meet your power needs while mitigating your impact on the environment.
Did Lubbock Move to the ERCOT Grid?
Residents of Lubbock, TX do not yet have access to the ERCOT grid. Plans to integrate it with ERCOT were set in motion in 2015 and are set to be finalized in late 2023.
What Area Does ERCOT Cover in Texas?
ERCOT covers most of the power consumers (90%) and most of the geographic area (75%) of Texas. This includes most of the big cities, like Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Houston.
Still, ERCOT doesn’t cover all of Texas. The area around El Paso — as well as parts of the Northeast and Southeast — are notable exceptions to its reach.
Energy Deregulation and So Much More in Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock is indeed a hub city that offers easy access to the cultural and economic centers of the Southeastern United States. It’s also steadily growing into a cultural powerhouse in its own right, boasting a longstanding tradition of producing one American music icon after another.
Speaking of powerhouses, it will soon add deregulated energy market to its list of attractions. With integration into ERCOT projected to be done by late 2023, denizens of this charming Texas city will be able to take advantage of a competitive electricity market. While making this important decision, consider adopting some practices to help boost your energy efficiency. This is a smart decision regardless of where you end up or which energy plan you choose.
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