Green Mountain Energy
Green Mountain is the real deal on green energy—but you're paying 15-25% more. Same NRG parent as Reliant. Worth it or greenwashing premium?
Company Overview
Here’s the truth about Green Mountain Energy: They’re the only green company in Texas that isn’t mostly greenwashing.
Green Mountain has been 100% renewable since 1997—before deregulation, before “green” became a marketing checkbox every REP slaps on a plan to charge you extra. They were the original, and they’re still the real deal.
The uncomfortable fact: NRG Energy bought them in 2010. Same corporate parent as Reliant. So your monthly payment goes to a Fortune 500 company that also sells conventional electricity at premium prices. But here’s the difference—Green Mountain actually sources from wind and solar generation, not just paper certificates.
You’ll pay 15-25% more than budget providers. On a $150 bill, that’s an extra $25-$40/month going toward actual renewable infrastructure. Most “green plans” from other companies just buy RECs (Renewable Energy Certificates)—basically carbon offset IOUs—while sourcing from the same coal and gas plants.
The Green Energy Difference
What separates Green Mountain from competitors who slap “green” on a plan:
Actually renewable, not just RECs: Many “green” plans just buy Renewable Energy Certificates to offset conventional power. Green Mountain sources from actual wind and solar generation. That’s a real difference.
27 years of receipts: This isn’t a marketing pivot or greenwashing. Green Mountain has been 100% renewable since before most Texans knew what a kilowatt-hour was.
They tell you where it comes from: Green Mountain publishes actual sourcing data. Most competitors don’t.
Where Green Mountain Operates
Green Mountain serves deregulated areas of Texas including Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, and regions covered by Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP, and TNMP.
Interestingly, Green Mountain is headquartered in Austin but cannot sell electricity there due to Austin Energy’s municipal monopoly.
Plan Types Offered
100% Renewable Fixed-Rate Plans Lock in a rate for 12-36 months with 100% renewable energy sourcing.
Variable-Rate Plans Month-to-month renewable options with no contract.
Pollution Free Plans Their signature offering—electricity with no carbon emissions.
What They Don’t Offer:
- Prepaid plans
- Free nights/weekends
- Non-renewable options (by design)
Deposit Requirements
Green Mountain requires credit checks. If your credit meets their threshold, no deposit is needed. If not, you may need to pay a deposit or provide a letter of credit from a previous provider.
They don’t offer prepaid plans as an alternative.
Pricing: Let’s Be Honest
Green Mountain costs more. Period.
Expect to pay 15-25% above budget providers. On a $150 average bill, that’s $20-$35 extra per month, or $250-$400 per year.
Is that worth it? Only you can answer that. If environmental impact genuinely matters to your household, maybe. If “green” is just a nice checkbox, you’re throwing away money.
Customer Service: The Real Story
Green Mountain’s service is decent but not exceptional—you’re paying for the green energy, not the customer experience.
Worth knowing:
- Phone support is responsive, usually 10-15 minute waits
- Website and app are functional, nothing special
- They actually know their environmental stuff if you have questions
The catch:
- No prepaid option—if your credit is rough, you’re out of luck
- Higher prices mean higher stakes if something goes wrong with billing
- Limited plan variety—it’s all green, all the time
Green Mountain works for people who’ve decided environmental impact is worth paying for. Everyone else should look at cheaper options with “green” add-ons.
Good For
- You'll pay 15-25% more for authentic renewable energy—and feel good about it
- Environmental track record matters, not just a 'green' label
- You want your electricity company to actually support wind/solar infrastructure
- Your credit is solid (no prepaid option here)
Avoid If
- Price matters most—Green Mountain costs $15-$30 more per month than budget options
- You need prepaid because of credit issues—they don't offer it
- You want free nights or time-of-use plans—not available
- 'Green' is just a nice-to-have, not a priority—you'd be paying extra for nothing
Company Snapshot
Plan Types
Service Areas
Green Energy Options
Ways to Avoid Deposit
- Good credit approval
- Letter of credit from previous provider
Compare Green Mountain Energy vs Other Providers
Green Mountain Energy Rankings
See how Green Mountain Energy stacks up in our category rankings.
100% renewable since 1997 - only sells green plans, period
100% renewable since 1997 - they literally don't sell non-green plans
Every plan is 100% renewable - they don't even offer fossil fuel options
$150 bill credit above 1,200 kWh with 100% renewable energy for eco-conscious large households
5pm CT cutoff Monday-Saturday, NRG Energy brand with renewable options
e-Plus plans with no base charge and 100% renewable power
Pioneer in Texas renewables with established solar buyback program since 1997
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