Does Your State Allow You to Choose Your Own Electricity Provider?

For decades, utility companies have enjoyed little—if any—competition within their markets. Most states regulate utilities so consumers only have one or two options when selecting utility providers. But recently, more than a dozen states and Washington DC have deregulated their utilities markets, giving residential and commercial customers the chance to choose their own utility providers.

States with Deregulated Electricity Markets

The states with deregulated electricity markets include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Washington DC has also deregulated its markets.

However, not all markets in these states are deregulated. It’s best to seek the help of a utilities expert to understand the options you have in your area.

Use These Questions to Help You Choose a New Utilities Provider

The utilities market is complicated, especially when it comes to understanding rates, fees, and the other details that might save you money—or cost you. Here are some questions to ask before signing up with a particular company.

• What are your current rates and how do you determine them?
• Do your rates include all associated fees?
• What is the kilowatt-hour cost?
• Does my company need to pay a deposit?
• Does my company need to sign a contract?
• If so, what happens if we break it?

The answers to these questions will likely be perplexing. There are more than half a dozen ways for a utility company to determine rates, and a company may be reluctant to share their fee schedules with you.

That’s why it pays off to have a utilities expert investigate your choices and present you with the advantages and disadvantages of each option. The experts at SM Engineering have decades of experience helping companies make sense of the market and make a decision that will save them money. Contact the experts at SM Engineering today.