The Buckeye State has nearly 100 retail energy suppliers serving customers
HARRISBURG, Pa. (August 9, 2023) – The Retail Energy Supply Association (RESA), the nation’s leading trade association representing competitive retail energy suppliers, strongly endorses the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) Commissioner Lawrence Friedeman’s reminder to retail suppliers in Ohio to set and uphold fair and responsible sales practices in the market.
Ohio is one of 13 states and the District of Columbia with retail choice. The Buckeye State has allowed retail energy suppliers to sell directly to customers for over 20 years, using the local utility’s distribution system to deliver electricity or natural gas and providing customers with the option to choose a competitive retail energy supplier for their electric generation or natural gas supply either on their own or through an aggregation program.
Commissioner Friedeman commented during the Commission’s July 12 public meeting that, although the PUCO does not regulate or set competitive retail prices, it does have jurisdiction over competitive practices and the certification of suppliers. Furthermore, he expressed his views on competitive market prices.
“Healthy and effective competition should allow for-profit potential but should also introduce price discipline into the market. We can expect competitors’ prices to differ, but the price points among the supplier prices should fall within some reasonable range and should not include excessive or outlier prices,” said Commissioner Friedeman.
“RESA appreciates Commissioner Friedeman’s and the PUCO’s support and encouragement to educate consumers to shop for the best energy plans and to compare rates regularly. It’s unfortunate when a limited number of companies can impact or threaten a healthy competitive market,” said Frank Caliva, RESA’s national spokesperson. “Ohio residents have access to many ethical retail energy suppliers in the state, many of which go above and beyond what’s required to ensure good business practices and consumer protections are upheld.”
RESA supports honest competition and educates customers in all restructured markets. The organization’s principles include a strict compliance policy with federal and state laws and advocates for fair and transparent business practices. RESA encourages all retail suppliers serving Ohio to self-monitor their business and sales activities and proactively report any concerns to the PUCO. Consumers can file complaints at: https://puco.ohio.gov/help-center/file-a-complaint.
In addition to free resources offered on RESA’s website for Ohioans, the PUCO operates the Apples to Apples website and publishes comparison charts to assist consumers in evaluating plans, products and rates to make an informed decision before purchasing electricity or natural gas from a licensed retail supplier.
ABOUT RETAIL ENERGY SUPPLY ASSOCIATION
RESA 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 works with all stakeholders to promote vibrant and sustainable competitive retail energy markets for residential, commercial and industrial consumers. For more information, visit resausa.org. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
RESA
press@resausa.org
(214) 213-4675
