ABOUT THE ISSUE

We want electricity consumers in Pennsylvania to have a choice of the most reliable, transparent, and affordable options available.

Unfortunately, Pennsylvania state policy hasn’t evolved for over two decades, and the rules make it nearly impossible for consumers to understand, evaluate, and choose the electricity options best suited for their home or business.

That’s why new policies are needed to do what should’ve been done decades ago: provide Pennsylvanians a truly competitive electricity marketplace that gives consumers real choice and better results.

Smarter energy rules will bring these better results to consumers. The state’s electricity utilities will be empowered by the mandate to focus exclusively on safe, reliable infrastructure, which should be their first and only priority. A glance across the country last summer at the raging fires on the West Coast – and failures by utilities to focus exclusively on safety and security – is a stark reminder that Pennsylvania energy utilities should have a first – and only – priority of servicing and stabilizing the “grid,” namely the poles, wires, switches, and transformers on which we all rely.

Allowing utilities to focus on infrastructure while dedicated retail electricity providers compete to provide the best options to consumers will increase transparency, improve customer service, promote product innovation, and drive investment in Pennsylvania by companies eager to meet consumer demand.

With true electricity choice as our goal, Pennsylvania’s consumers are the prime beneficiaries of the Choose Who You Use coalition campaign:

• Allow every consumer to find an electricity plan that fits his/her budget, priorities, and values.
• Drive market and product innovation and competition between retail electricity providers, which not only best serves consumers but also more directly helps close the gap between innovative options and more affordable energy.
• Support the state’s significant COVID-impacted budget shortfalls — including help for low- and moderate-income residential customers — through payments made directly by qualifying electric suppliers for every new customer they acquire.
• Improve protections and transparency to support consumers, including reforms like a “consumer bill of rights” and an end to intrusive door-to-door solicitations.
• Increase the pace and availability of technological advances, like smart thermostats, mobile access, and custom analytics that make understanding and controlling your electricity usage easier.
• Require electricity service providers to meet higher standards to sell electricity. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission will decide who makes the grade based on factors like price, the financial stability of the company, and its ability to offer renewable options.

Electricity choice is one of the few issues that receive support across the political spectrum, thanks to its direct and positive impact on the day-to-day lives of all Pennsylvanians, and the boost it would provide to economic and environmental innovation. Pennsylvania’s Energy. Choose Who You Use.