Energy Shopping This Holiday Season Can Save You Money Throughout the Year Says the Retail Energy Supply Association

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Retail Energy Supply Association (RESA), a leading trade association of retail energy suppliers serving residential, business, and governmental consumers throughout the United States, is encouraging consumers to learn more about how they can shop for energy this holiday season and lower their energy bills.

"Consumers can take quick and easy steps this holiday season to save money on their energy bill throughout the year," says Jay Kooper, President of the Retail Energy Supply Association. "Many states now have restructured energy markets and that means you have the right to shop for cheaper and alternative energy supply options."

The utility company will still make sure that the electricity is delivered to homes and businesses safely, as well as "get the lights back on" if there is an outage, but consumers now don't have to buy their energy supply from the utility. Retail energy suppliers now offer a host of competitive products to meet consumer needs and provide fixed price and variable price contracts, renewable and alternative energy options and other products that are of interest to consumers. Many state public utility commissions have information on licensed retail suppliers and their offerings for businesses and residents. To make a switch, simply check your utility bill and note the price to compare cost to that of a retail supply offer.

"While there is no 'energy store' on Main Street there is one online," says Kooper. "Consumers may be receiving offers through the mail, by phone, in person, and online.  To shop effectively customers can simply go to their state public utility commission website and find information on the various competitive suppliers licensed in their state. Consumers should be sure to compare their current price per KWH on their electric utility bill to those offered by competitive suppliers. Right now, depending on their size and location, customers can save up to 10-15% on energy supply costs, which added over time can be anywhere from a few dollars a month to hundreds of dollars over the course of the year depending on your energy usage."

Many businesses, governments and residential customers in restructured energy markets such as Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Massachusetts, California and Delaware are shopping for energy from companies that are competing for their business and saving money as a result. While there is a learning curve for first-time energy shoppers, once they understand how to shop, they often feel empowered, in control of their energy use, and continue to shop in the competitive energy market overtime.

To learn more about shopping for electricity and natural gas products, visit www.resausa.org and click on your state or go to your local public utility commission.

About RESA

RESA's members include ConEdison Solutions; Constellation NewEnergy, Inc.; Direct Energy Services, LLC; Energy Plus Holdings, LLC; Exelon Energy Company; GDF SUEZ Energy Resources NA, Inc.; Green Mountain Energy Company; Hess Corporation; Integrys Energy Services, Inc.; Just Energy; Liberty Power; NextEra Energy Services; Noble Americas Energy Solutions LLC; PPL EnergyPlus; Reliant Energy Northeast LLC. For more information, contact RESA Executive Director Tracy McCormick at (717) 566-5405 or go to www.RESAUSA.org.

SOURCE Retail Energy Supply Association

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