Kilowatts for a Cause

Texas electricity customers can now choose to give to their favorite nonprofit

The season of giving and gratitude is almost here, and electricity customers in Texas now have a new way to support charitable organizations that matter to them — all by doing something as simple as turning on their light switch.

Through Reliant's new Choose to Give program, customers choose a nonprofit to support as part of their electricity plan.

When the customer signs up, Reliant makes an up-front $100 contribution to the nonprofit, plus Reliant will donate an amount equal to 5 percent of the customer’s annual energy charges, making an even bigger impact for the nonprofit.

“Reliant cares deeply about the people and communities we serve, and we’re no stranger to offering electricity plans that support nonprofits doing inspiring work,” says Elizabeth Killinger, president of Reliant. “The Choose to Give program provides customers an opportunity to connect to their communities in a meaningful and impactful way.”

The program launched with two Choose to Give plans, benefiting the following organizations:

The American Heart Association is on a mission to save and improve the lives of those affected by heart disease and stroke, two of the most common causes of death in Texas. When customers sign up for this plan, their energy usage will support lifesaving medical research and resources for heart failure patients to better manage their health.

March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. Its goal is to end preventable maternal and preterm birth health risks, benefiting communities in Texas. When customers enroll in this plan, they will impact a family’s life with things like essential baby items, newborn screenings, innovative prematurity research, and more.

Reliant already has longstanding relationships with these two organizations, having given more than $2 million previously through legacy programs.

There are plans to expand the list of Choose to Give partner organizations, giving Texans even more opportunities to make a difference by supporting a nonprofit they are passionate about. In 2024, customers will have the opportunity to provide recommendations for organizations they would like to see added to the Choose to Give program.

Customers enrolled in the Choose to Give plan of their choice will also enjoy a fixed energy charge for the length of their term, convenient account management tools, an industry-leading app, and 24/7 customer service and support.

To learn more about the program and how to enroll, visit reliant.com/choosetogive.

Photo courtesy of Reliant

March of Dimes is one of the beneficiaries of Reliant Choose to Give.

charity energy promoted

warning for drivers

Texas steers onto list of states with highest speeding ticket costs

Photo by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash

Gotta watch out for speed traps in Texas.

The next time you’re tempted to push past the speed limit on your Texas road trip or your commute to work, think about the risk to your life — and your bank account.

A new ranking from the FinanceBuzz website shows that when comparing all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Texas motorists pay the fourth highest amount in fines and court costs for going either 10 mph or 15 mph over the speed limit.

For a 10 mph-over-the-limit violation in Texas, the average fine and court costs total $223, according to FinanceBuzz. For a 15 mph infraction, the average speeding ticket will run you $245. Texas is one of only six states where a 15 mph-over-the-limit speeding ticket surpasses $200.

California ranks first in the 10 mph category ($234), and Nevada ranks first in the 15 mph category ($290).

If you’re slapped with a ticket for driving 40 mph over the speed limit in Texas, the fine and court costs are relatively low. At an average of $320, Texas sits at No. 21 on the FinanceBuzz list. Illinois ($2,500) leads the 40 mph category.

“Not all speeding incidents are the same, as the faster someone goes while driving, the more danger they pose to themselves and others sharing the road with them,” says FinanceBuzz. “As a result, the authorities tend to issue larger fines the faster a speeder is going.”

Of course, it might be tough to go even one mph over the speed limit if you’re driving on I-45 in the Houston area. The notoriously congested stretch of interstate highway is nearing the end of its “functional life,” according to the Washington, D.C.-based Congress of New Urbanism. I-45 is also the deadliest road in Texas, according to the latest National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.

Dallas, Fort Worth, and San Antonio are also home to some of the state’s most congested roads, according to the Texas Transportation Institute. And if you’re on any of those clogged roads, the danger of getting a speeding ticket might decrease.

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