Measured Actions Will Improve the Shopping Experience for Retail Energy Consumers
Harrisburg, PA – In testimony today before the Pennsylvania House Consumer Affairs Committee, the Retail Energy Supply Association (RESA) commended the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) for two orders the commission issued last week to improve the retail energy shopping experience for customers in the Commonwealth.
The PUC adopted new regulations to accelerate the switching process for customers moving from one supplier to another, and adopted revised regulations governing the disclosure of contract terms to customers.
“RESA commends the PUC’s efforts and looks forward to working with the Commission to help consumers make more informed choices about the electricity contracts they enter into,” said Richard Hudson, RESA’s Pennsylvania state chairman.
“RESA has long advocated for policy changes to enable faster switching for customers. In the 21st century when customers can obtain instant approval for a credit card online or switch cell phone providers at a mall kiosk, faster switching for electric service should be achievable,” Hudson said.
“RESA also supports the Commission’s revised consumer disclosure regulations, which focus on enhanced disclosure of contract terms, price transparency and customer notification of changes in terms or price. These revisions will improve the customer shopping experience,” Hudson added.
Policy makers are rightfully focused on customer impacts from the polar vortex, Hudson told the Consumer Affairs Committee. RESA looks forward to working with lawmakers as they consider legislation to enhance consumer protections, he said. And while RESA supports increased price transparency and consumer education efforts, it’s important to maintain a wide range of options for customers, including variable rate products, he said.
The Retail Energy Supply Association is the nation’s leading organization representing competitive suppliers of electricity and natural gas. RESA’s broad and diverse group of retail energy suppliers share the common vision that competitive retail energy markets deliver a more efficient, customer-oriented outcome than does the monopoly-protected, rate-regulated utility structure. RESA is devoted to working with all interested stakeholders to promote vibrant and sustainable competitive retail electric and natural gas markets in the best interests of residential, commercial and industrial consumers.
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About RESA
RESA represents competitive energy suppliers dedicated to creating and sustaining vibrantly competitive electricity and natural gas markets for the benefit of consumers. RESA’s members include: AEP Energy, Inc.; Champion Energy Services, LLC; ConEdison Solutions; Constellation NewEnergy, Inc.; Direct Energy Services, LLC; GDF SUEZ Energy Resources NA, Inc.; Homefield Energy; IDT Energy, Inc.; Interstate Gas Supply, Inc. dba IGS Energy; Integrys Energy Services, Inc.; Just Energy; Liberty Power; MC Squared Energy Services, LLC; Mint Energy, LLC; NextEra Energy Services; Noble Americas Energy Solutions LLC; NRG Energy, Inc.; PPL EnergyPlus, LLC; Stream Energy; TransCanada Power Marketing Ltd. and TriEagle Energy, L.P. For more information about RESA please contact Tracy McCormick, Executive Director, at (717) 566-5405, or visit www.resausa.org.
