Energy Deregulation

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Energy Deregulation
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What is Energy Deregulation?
It used to be that people didnt have the freedom
to choose where they bought their power from.
Every state had basically one source of
electricity or gas and you had to buy from them,
regardless of price.
Now however, some states have started to
deregulate power. This means that you have the
freedom to choose another utilities company to
buy power from.
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What Makes Deregulated Power So Controversial?
For years utilities like gas and electricity have
been controlled by the government. This ensured
that health and safety measures were properly
monitored, but it also unfortunately created a
monopoly of power that made it possible for
prices to rise without anything to check or lower
them.
Deregulated power creates independent companies
that provide competition, and its the first time
that energy has been deregulated.
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Deregulation Doesnt Mean Using Different Power
Just because power is deregulated it doesnt mean
that there are independent companies popping up
all over with access to different power sources.
All the power generally comes from the same
places.
What deregulated means is that these new
independent utility companies offer different
pricing options and policies, some of which are
oftentimes a better fit for you depending on your
circumstances or location.
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What Does Deregulation Mean For You?
This is how it all works. You have the companies
that provide energy or natural gas, which they in
turn sell to all the available retail suppliers
like the traditional government suppliers and the
new independent suppliers in deregulated states.
These suppliers sell their utilities through your
familiar local utilities provider who then sends
the power directly into your home or business.
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The Benefits of Deregulated Energy
Consumers now have a choice about what company
provides electricity and gas for their homes and
businesses.
This ultimately lowers the cost of utilities and
products because suppliers are now competing with
each other.
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The Future of Deregulated Energy
As of now, not all states allow deregulated
energy, and it might take years until the entire
United States passes the necessary laws making
deregulated power legal.
So far only 13 states give people the choice to
find an alternate gas or electric utilities
company to obtain power from and 18 states have
yet to even make deregulated power legal.
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How Do you Get Your Utilities?
As a consumer, you might not even notice the
difference at first. The utility company in your
area is still responsible for the distribution of
the power to your home regardless of the supplier
you choose.
However, the supply price isnt set by that same
utility provider anymore. Depending on where you
live, you may still continue to be billed by your
utility provider, but you will see a mention of
your new supplier. Or, in some cases you will be
billed directly by your supplier. 
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How Will Deregulated Power Affect the Economy?
Deregulation opens up a whole new job market and
a way to make money. Its also lowering utility
costs somewhat and creating healthy competition
and new jobs.
However, deregulation of energy is still so new
that we dont really know the full effect it will
have on the long-term utility distribution system
in the United States.
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Coming Soon to a State Near You?
If youre unsure about the deregulation laws in
your state, look it up today and find out if
there are alternative energy options available
for you.