RESA Encourages Consumers to Include Shopping for Energy As Part of Black Friday and Holiday Shopping Rituals

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Retail Energy Supply Association (RESA), a leading trade association of retail energy suppliers committed to the advocacy of vibrant and sustainable competitive energy markets, encourages American business and residential consumers in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washington, D.C. to shop for energy this Black Friday.

"By shopping for electricity or natural gas in America's competitive and restructured markets, consumers may find potentially lower cost options, renewable energy products, and new and innovative products and services to help them conserve energy and manage their usage," said David Fein, President of RESA. "More than 12 million business and residential consumers are shopping for electricity across our country, yet millions more have the ability to consider their options, switch their service to a competitive supplier and potentially save on their energy costs. It's easy to shop and energy suppliers are competing for your business, so it's a great time to learn more about the competitive energy market and what's in it for you."

In restructured markets across the country, competitive wholesale and retail markets spur efficiencies and puts downward pressure on prices. In the old days of electric generation and distribution monopolies, consumers had no electric choice.  Today, all consumers have an array of billing, price and electric supply options as well as certain value-added products and services. Some of those valued-added services include loyalty rewards, air miles, or free days of service. Now consumers can find a product that best meets their needs.

"Customer education is a key element for consumers to understand the choices that are available in the competitive energy market and regulators, consumer advocates, utilities and competitive suppliers are working to improve the flow of information," said Mr. Fein.  "This holiday weekend, while many are focused on getting a head start on their holiday shopping, we encourage consumers to visit the websites of public utility commissions, utilities, RESA, and competitive suppliers to learn more about the ability  to shop for competitively-priced energy products and services."

Comparison shopping is a long-standing Black Friday tradition. Business and residential consumers can and should comparison shop for electric and natural gas products and can do so online and by phone, without having to leave the comfort of their own home. This Thanksgiving weekend RESA encourages consumers across the country to learn more about their right to shop for energy. Visit www.RESAUSA.org and click on the consumer corner to learn more about electric choice.

About RESA
RESA's members include:  Champion Energy Services, LLC; ConEdison Solutions; Constellation NewEnergy, Inc.; Direct Energy Services, LLC; Energetix, Inc.; Exelon Energy Company; GDF SUEZ Energy Resources NA, Inc.; Green Mountain Energy Company; Hess Corporation; Integrys Energy Services, Inc.; Just Energy; Liberty Power; MC Squared Energy Services, LLC; Mint Energy, LLC; MXenergy; NextEra Energy Services; Noble Americas Energy Solutions LLC; PPL EnergyPlus, LLC; Reliant and TriEagle Energy, L.P..  The comments expressed in this filing represent the position of RESA as an organization but may not represent the views of any particular member of RESA.

SOURCE Retail Energy Supply Association (RESA)