It is a scam.

What they have done is open up the utilities market. This means that multiple companies can supply the utilities even though you are getting the exact same supply from the exact same pipes. Because there are now companies that can 'own' the resource, they can also trade that resource and sell it between companies.

Let us say you have electricity with TexasE and because the weather has been bad TexasE has used up the electricity that they virtually owned. TexasE can say to another company that hasn't used all their units - TexasT - Can I buy some of your electricity and TexasT can sell their virtual electricity to TexasE but at an inflated price because profit.

This is why Texas people have really high bills. It is a scam. You are being robbed.