(Harrisburg, Pa.) February 4, 2026 – The Retail Energy Supply Association (RESA) appreciates Governor Shapiro’s focus on affordability and energy costs in today’s budget address. We share the goal of helping Pennsylvania consumers manage their bills, which is best achieved by ensuring that Pennsylvanians can choose the energy options that best meet their needs and by increasing transparency on utility costs.
Pennsylvania restructured its electricity market in 1996, and full retail customer choice began in 1999. Customers actively choose competitive suppliers for a range of reasons, including long-term fixed pricing, bill stability, product features and customer service. RESA does not believe energy should be treated differently from any other product or service in our economy.
Pennsylvania already has some of the strongest and most widely respected consumer protections in the country governing contract expiration and renewal, including multiple advance notices, clear price disclosures, and the ability for customers to cancel without penalty and return to default service quickly if they choose.
Competition in Pennsylvania has delivered real, measurable benefits. RESA’s monthly market savings reports consistently show that savings opportunities are available to customers who shop, and many save money from this effort. More importantly, competition gives consumers options to manage risk, avoid short-term price spikes and choose products that align with their individual needs.
Pennsylvania is widely regarded as a national leader in retail energy choice because it has struck the right balance between consumer protection and competition, but more can be done. RESA has long advocated for market improvements that would increase transparency, accountability, and consumer protection. Allowing utilities – the monopoly entities against which retail suppliers compete for retail customer business – to dictate policies on retail markets is in stark contrast to what the Commonwealth has done for over 26 years. It shifts the focus away from utility junk fees and excessive profits, which come from the pocketbooks of all Pennsylvania ratepayers.
RESA stands ready to work with Governor Shapiro, the General Assembly and regulators to support and improve Pennsylvania’s energy market. We strongly believe that all legislative reforms should preserve consumer choice, respect customer decisions and build on the framework that has made the Commonwealth a leader in retail energy competition.
ABOUT RESA:
The Retail Energy Supply Association is a broad and diverse group of retail energy suppliers who share the common vision that competitive retail electricity and natural gas markets deliver a more efficient, customer-oriented outcome than a regulated utility structure. RESA is devoted to working with all stakeholders to promote vibrant and sustainable competitive retail energy markets for residential and industrial consumers. For more information, visit resausa.org. Follow RESA on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).
MEDIA CONTACT: Stacey Gaswirth, Press@resausa.org, 214.213.4675
