A History of Energy

Deregulation

OverviewEnergy deregulation has provided U.S. electrical consumers with lower prices, better service and the chance to demand green energy alternatives. Deregulation breaks up inefficient energy monopolies and creates increased competition, bringing market forces to bear to provide better alternatives for electrical consumers. Deregulation has also spurred innovation, as competing electrical companies work to find better ways of generating and distributing power for their clients. The following is a brief history of energy deregulation and its impact in seven U.S. states and Washington, D.C.

Connecticut started deregulation in the late 90s when a law restructuring the state’s utilities was passed. The new law broke up major utilities into smaller companies and allowed competing suppliers into the market.

Since deregulation, electricity generation has increased, consumers have more choices and exploration of less environmentally harmful methods of electrical generation has accelerated. Between 2005 and 2010, carbon dioxide emissions from power plants decreased 20 percent. Also, nitrogen oxide fell by 62 percent and sulfur dioxide by 77 percent.

Connecticut

Massachusetts

Electricity deregulation began in Massachusetts in 1998 and has resulted in more choices for consumers as deregulation dismantled decades-old monopolies in Massachusetts utilities.

Massachusetts electrical deregulation has given customers the ability to opt for green energy plans in which power is generated from clean sources of energy such as wind or solar. Many state residents have taken advantage of this flexibility, opting for earth-friendly power sources for their homes and businesses.

New York began deregulating electricity in the mid 90s, unbundling natural gas bills and giving consumers the ability to choose suppliers. The state is now deregulating electricity in much the same way, giving residents more options for choosing their electrical suppliers.

New York

New JerseyNew Jersey lawmakers moved to break up utility monopolies in the late 90s with the passage of the Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act. The bill provided New Jersey energy consumers with the right to choose their own electric supplier.

The act has helped New Jersey residents through:

• Price reduction. High volume energy users have particularly benefited from increased competition.• More choices. Consumers aren’t stuck with energy suppliers whose service they don’t like.• Green energy plans. Increased competition has created a market for green energy in New Jersey, giving consumers the option of buying energy provided by earth-friendly means.

Ohio’s legislature deregulated energy in 1999 with the Ohio Electric Choice act. Prior to the bill’s passage, Ohioans had only one choice for their electrical needs. Thanks to Ohio Electric Choice, they now have a variety of electrical suppliers.Most of Ohio’s electricity is provided by coal or nuclear power plants. Ohio Electric Choice has helped open the market to renewable options, and Ohioans are responding to these options, creating a growing demand for earth-friendly power.

Ohio

Pennsylvania deregulated its energy market in the mid-90s. The state legislature broke up utility monopolies with the Electricity Generation and Customer Choice and Competition Act. The 90s era laws also set caps on electrical prices, but allowed Competitive Transaction Charges. This proved counter-productive, and in the late 00s, the legislature further deregulated and removed the caps and the CTCs.Pennsylvania’s deregulation has increased the number of companies competing to supply residents with power and helped bring more earth-friendly options to the market. Deregulation has given Pennsylvanians the chance to choose a provider that delivers the best service, lowest rates, and power generation method of their choice.

Pennsylvania

The Lone Star State deregulated its energy market in 2002. The deregulation of the Texas energy market, one of the nation’s largest, has had the following results.While energy costs have risen, a good portion of those costs have been borne by power companies rather than customers.Wind energy has increased in Texas. The state recently passed California as the nation’s No. 1 wind energy producer.More electrical suppliers are working in Texas, providing consumers with a greater range of choices.

Texas

The nation’s capital gave its residents the ability to choose their own energy suppliers in 1999. Deregulation has brought new power suppliers to the district and given consumers more choices. Competition has also provided Washington, D.C. residents the opportunity to shop around for lower prices and to choose earth-friendly electrical suppliers.

Washington, D.C.

About Shop My Power

Shop My Power provides energy consumers in eight states with the opportunity to conveniently compare prices among utilities and find out which one is best for them. Energy deregulation in these states makes Shop My Power’s cost-saving service available to serve the public. For more information visit http://www.shopmypower.com.