Garland Power & Light Rate Selection Guide
Garland Power & Light (GP&L) is a municipally-owned electric utility serving roughly 76,000 customers across about 85% of Garland, Texas. As the 4th largest municipal utility in Texas, GP&L owns its own distribution and transmission system and sets its own rates; customer billing and 13 months of usage history are accessed through the MyMeter portal.
Garland Power & Light Rate Schedule Comparison
| Schedule | Type | Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-S | Small commercial | $11.55/mo + $0.0602/$0.0549 per kWh + $0.0819 RAF | Small businesses under 30 kW demand |
| GS-L | Large commercial | Demand $6.33-$8.53/kW (seasonal) + $0.0235-$0.0276/kWh | Facilities over 30 kW demand |
| LLC | Industrial (distribution) | Component-based + $9.43/kW distribution | Large industrial loads ≥ 1,000 kW |
| HTS | Transmission (≤5 MW) | $8.25/kW demand + $0.0033-$0.0056/kWh + $0.0819 RAF | Transmission-level loads up to 5 MW |
| TVS / LTVS | Transmission contract | Component-based contract pricing | Transmission loads under or over 20 MW |
Market Overview
GP&L is a municipally-owned utility whose ~85% service area is outside ERCOT retail competition. The City of Garland self-regulates rates through its Code of Ordinances (Chapter 50 Utility Rates and Fees) rather than the PUCT. C&I customers in GP&L territory take bundled service under published rate classes and cannot shop for a competitive supplier. Only the ~15% of Garland served by Oncor falls in deregulated ERCOT territory.
Need to pull your actual usage data to compare rates? See the Garland Power & Light Data Access Guide →
Current Rate Schedules
Verified commercial rate schedules from GP&L's published Commercial Rates page. GS-S (small) and GS-L (large) carry specific verified charges; GS-L uses seasonal demand and energy charges. High Tension Service (HTS) is for transmission-level customers up to 5 MW. Large Load Customer Service, TVS, and LTVS use component-based contract pricing. All bills are subject to a monthly Recovery Adjustment Factor and tax adjustment clause; an optional Green Choice rider adds $0.0100/kWh.
Effective: June 4, 2026 · Full Tariff Book →
| Schedule | Type | Applicability | Structure | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Service – Small (GS-S) | commercial | Small commercial accounts; customers transition to GS-L when demand exceeds 30 kW for two consecutive months (or by option above 20 kW with usage over 7,300 kWh). | Customer charge $11.55/month. Energy charge (verified): first 2,000 kWh $0.0602/kWh; each kWh above 2,000 $0.0549/kWh. Recovery Adjustment Factor $0.0819/kWh (monthly). Optional Green Choice rider +$0.0100/kWh. | — |
| General Service – Large (GS-L) | commercial | Larger commercial accounts; mandatory above 30 kW measured demand for two consecutive months. Minimum 1-year term. | Seasonal demand charge (verified) — Summer (May-Oct): first 200 kW $8.53/kW, over 200 kW $7.98/kW; Winter (Nov-Apr): first 200 kW $6.88/kW, over 200 kW $6.33/kW. Energy charge: 0-60,000 kWh $0.0276/kWh, over 60,000 kWh $0.0235/kWh (both seasons). Optional Green Choice +$0.0100/kWh. Billing demand = max 15-minute kW, with 70% ratchet and 20 kW minimum. | — |
| Large Load Customer Service (LLC) | industrial | Distribution customers with measured demand ≥ 1,000 kW for at least two consecutive months in the prior twelve. 12- or 24-month terms. | Component-based: energy, transmission, ERCOT administration, congestion, and ancillary services rates (based on load profile and term), plus a verified distribution service rate of $9.43 per kW. Components grossed up for distribution losses and City return-on-investment. Power factor adjustment applies. | — |
| High Tension Service – up to 5 MW (HTS) | industrial | Transmission service customers (service at 60,000 volts or higher) whose monthly measured demand did not exceed 5 MW in the preceding twelve months. | Demand charge (verified) $8.25/kW. Energy charge: first 6,000,000 kWh $0.0056/kWh; above 6,000,000 kWh $0.0033/kWh. Recovery Adjustment Factor $0.0819/kWh (monthly). Billing demand = average kW over 15-minute maximum-use periods. Power factor adjustment applies. | — |
| Transmission Voltage Service – <20 MW (TVS) | industrial | Transmission service customers (60,000 V or higher) whose monthly measured demand did not exceed 20 MW in the preceding twelve months. 12- or 24-month terms. | Component-based contract pricing: energy, transmission, ERCOT administration, congestion, ancillary services, and GP&L administration rates based on load profile and term. Components grossed up for City return-on-investment. Power factor adjustment and ERCOT operational requirements apply. | — |
| Large Transmission Voltage Service – ≥20 MW (LTVS) | industrial | Transmission service customers (60,000 V or higher) with measured demand of at least 20 MW. 12-, 24-, or 36-month terms. | Component-based contract pricing identical in structure to TVS (energy, transmission, ERCOT admin, congestion, ancillary, GP&L admin), grossed up for City return-on-investment. Security deposits (up to 3 months of payments) and ERCOT load-shedding/ride-through obligations apply. | — |
Rate Recommendations by Use Case
Large commercial facility (over 30 kW demand)
GS-L accounts should aggressively manage summer peaks because of the 70% demand ratchet.
Summer demand (May-Oct) sets a ratchet floor for 12 months; one uncontrolled peak inflates demand charges all year. Demand charges are seasonal and substantial ($6.33-$8.53/kW).
- Use interval/demand monitoring to catch coincident summer peaks
- Stagger HVAC and large-motor startups in summer
- Maintain ERCOT power factor to avoid adjustments
Large industrial / transmission-level load
Loads at or above 1,000 kW should evaluate LLC vs HTS/TVS and negotiate favorable terms.
At scale, transmission-level service and contract terms (12/24/36-month) materially affect cost; HTS energy rates ($0.0033-$0.0056/kWh) are far lower than distribution classes.
- Model LLC ($9.43/kW distribution) vs HTS ($8.25/kW + low energy) for your profile
- Lock favorable contract terms based on load forecast
- Ensure power factor compliance to avoid penalties
Small business (under 30 kW demand)
GS-S customers should focus on kWh reduction since the RAF and energy charge dominate.
GS-S has no demand charge; the $11.55 customer charge plus $0.0602/$0.0549 energy and a $0.0819/kWh Recovery Adjustment Factor make consumption reduction the main lever.
- Reduce kWh through LED and efficient HVAC
- Stay below 30 kW demand to avoid mandatory GS-L transfer
- Request an EnergySaver audit (972-205-2929)
Multi-site / portfolio C&I data management
Portfolios must plan for manual data collection given no API, Green Button, or Smart Meter Texas access.
GP&L offers no automated feed; centralized monitoring relies on monthly MyMeter PDF exports or utility-directed data requests with consent.
- Use Add Account in MyMeter to consolidate sites
- Standardize monthly PDF capture for benchmarking
- Submit utility-directed requests for historical interval data with customer consent
Historical Rate Trends
GP&L periodically adjusts electric rates by City Council action, and the per-kWh Recovery Adjustment Factor is reset monthly by the Electric Department's Managing Director. A tax adjustment clause can further modify bills for new taxes after October 1, 1989.
July 1, 2025
GP&L implemented an electric rate adjustment via City Council action affecting commercial and residential schedules (announced through GP&L/City of Garland news).
Not specifiedJune 1, 2026
Monthly Recovery Adjustment Factor in effect at $0.0819/kWh for GS-S and HTS, reset monthly by the Electric Department Managing Director.
Monthly variableOverall trend: Upward over recent years, consistent with broader Texas/ERCOT cost pressures; the monthly Recovery Adjustment Factor introduces ongoing variability.
Next expected change: Rate ordinance changes are announced via GP&L/City of Garland news; the Recovery Adjustment Factor changes monthly. Monitor gpltexas.org rate announcements.
Cost Optimization Strategies
Because GP&L customers cannot shop for supply, C&I cost optimization focuses on demand/peak management (especially the GS-L summer ratchet), correct rate-class and term selection, power factor compliance, and efficiency programs.
Summer Peak & Ratchet Management
For: GS-L commercial accounts
On GS-L, billing demand is no less than 70% of the highest summer (May-Oct) demand for 12 months. Shaving the summer peak prevents an inflated ratchet that raises demand charges all year.
Rate-Class & Term Optimization
For: All non-residential accounts
Verify placement among GS-S, GS-L, LLC, HTS, TVS, and LTVS based on actual demand and voltage; select favorable 12/24/36-month terms on contract rates.
Power Factor Compliance
For: GS-L, LLC, HTS, TVS, LTVS (interval-metered)
Maintain the ERCOT lagging power factor with on-site reactive support to avoid power factor adjustment penalties on GS-L and transmission rates.
Energy Efficiency & Audits
For: All C&I customers
Use the EnergySaver Program and energy audits to cut consumption and peak demand; pair with the Green Choice rider only where renewable goals justify the +$0.0100/kWh.
To implement these strategies, you need your 15-minute interval data. Learn how to download Garland Power & Light interval data →
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my energy consultant pull my GP&L usage data automatically?▾
No. GP&L has no public API, Green Button, or Share My Data program and does not participate in Smart Meter Texas. Access is manual: download PDF bills from MyMeter and share them, add the consultant as a portal user if available, or submit a utility-directed data request with consent to info@gpltexas.org.
Can I get 15-minute or hourly interval data for my facility?▾
Not through self-service. GP&L's AMR meters capture hourly readings internally, but only 13-month aggregated usage is shown in MyMeter. C&I customers needing interval data for solar sizing or load analysis should request it in writing from customer service at 972-205-2671.
Which commercial rate applies to my business?▾
Small commercial loads use General Service – Small (GS-S). Accounts exceeding ~30 kW demand for two consecutive months move to General Service – Large (GS-L). Larger loads use Large Load Customer Service (≥1,000 kW), High Tension Service (up to 5 MW transmission), Transmission Voltage Service (<20 MW), or Large Transmission Voltage Service (≥20 MW).
Can a GP&L business customer choose a competitive retail provider?▾
No. GP&L's ~85% footprint is a municipal, non-competitive service area outside ERCOT retail choice. Only the ~15% of Garland served by Oncor is in deregulated territory where customers can pick a retail electric provider and access Smart Meter Texas.
What is the Recovery Adjustment Factor on my GP&L bill?▾
It is a per-kWh charge (verified at $0.0819/kWh for GS-S and HTS) approved monthly by the Managing Director of the Electric Department to recover the system's total revenue requirements not covered by the customer and energy charges. It can change each month.
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