=== Utility Rates ===
Contributors: utilityrates
Tags: utility rates, electricity rates, natural gas rates, energy, utility companies
Requires at least: 5.6
Tested up to: 6.9
Stable tag: 1.0.0
Requires PHP: 7.4
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

Displays electricity and natural gas rates from US utility companies, updated weekly. Includes utility news section.

== Description ==

The **Utility Rates** plugin by [UtilitiesRates.com](https://UtilitiesRates.com) provides up-to-date electricity and natural gas rates from utility companies across the United States.

**Features:**

* ⚡ Commercial electricity supply rates for CT, DC, DE, IL, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, TX
* 🔥 Natural gas rates for 14 deregulated states
* 📰 Utility news section — rate increase alerts pulled weekly from UtilitiesRates.com
* 🔄 Auto-updated weekly via WordPress cron
* 🔗 Source-linked — every rate links back to the official utility source
* 🕐 Timestamped — last-verified date shown for every utility
* ⚠️ Disclaimers on every display
* 📱 Fully responsive, mobile-friendly tables
* 🔍 State filter dropdowns
* 🗂️ Tabbed dashboard view
* 📦 Sidebar widget support
* Easy shortcodes

**Shortcodes:**

* `[utility_rates_full]` — Full tabbed dashboard (Electricity + Gas + News)
* `[utility_electricity_rates]` — Electricity rates table
* `[utility_electricity_rates state="CT"]` — Filter by state
* `[utility_gas_rates]` — Natural gas rates table
* `[utility_gas_rates state="NY"]` — Filter by state
* `[utility_news]` — Utility news section
* `[utility_news limit="6"]` — Limit articles shown

**Data Source:**
All rates are sourced from [UtilitiesRates.com](https://UtilitiesRates.com) and official utility company websites & regulatory filings.

== Installation ==

1. Upload the `utility-rates` folder to `/wp-content/plugins/`
2. Activate the plugin through the **Plugins** menu in WordPress
3. Add `[utility_rates_full]` to any page or post
4. Configure via **Utility Rates** in the WordPress admin menu

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= How often are rates updated? =
Rates are automatically checked weekly via WordPress cron. News articles are refreshed twice daily.

= Can I force a manual update? =
Yes — go to **Utility Rates → Dashboard** in wp-admin and click "Force Update Rates Now".

= What states are covered? =
Electricity: CT, DC, DE, IL, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, TX
Natural Gas: GA, OH, PA, NY, NJ, MD, VA, MI, IL, IN, TX, CA, MA, CT

= Are the rates accurate? =
Rates are sourced directly from official utility websites and regulatory filings. Always verify current rates at the linked source before making business decisions.

== Changelog ==

= 1.0.0 =
* Initial release
* Electricity rates for 14 states/territories
* Natural gas rates for 14 states
* Weekly auto-update via WP-Cron
* Twice-daily news refresh
* Tabbed dashboard with state filtering
* Sidebar widget
* Full admin panel with manual update trigger

== Upgrade Notice ==

= 1.0.0 =
Initial release.
