INFORMATION FOR POLICYMAKERS

Electricity and natural gas consumers in New Jersey deserve the right to choose their energy supplier based on what matters most to them. That’s why New Jersey created competitive electricity and natural gas markets — to give consumers real options and move away from the utility monopoly model.

The New Jersey Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act of 1999 (“EDECA”) opened the door to electric and natural gas retail competition, allowing a variety of providers to sell electricity, natural gas, and related services to New Jersey consumers. While the deregulated market has successfully limited rate increases, electricity and natural gas sales across the state across some sectors are still dominated by the utilities, who continue to act as gatekeepers to the marketplace.

Maintaining and strengthening energy choice gives New Jersey residents access to options that are more innovative, renewable, and competitive.

• Innovative. New Jersey customers face some of the highest electric and natural gas rates in the country. If more consumers switch to innovative plans that allow them to monitor and reduce usage, ratepayers could manage and potentially save money on their energy bills.
• Renewable. Eliminating energy choice would take away many renewable energy and carbon offset options. For example, retail electric suppliers offer 100% renewable energy plans and products for electric vehicles — options that traditional utilities typically do not provide.
• Competitive. A strong retail market gives consumers more ways to find plans that match their budgets, priorities, and values. True energy choice drives competition, spurs innovation, and helps make energy more affordable

Now is the time to expand real energy choice for everyone in New Jersey. That’s why Choose Who You Use is working to:

• Raise awareness of the options beyond the utilities, including renewable energy plans and innovative electricity and natural gas plans.
• Promote transparency and technologies that give customers greater control over their energy usage and billing.
• Educate consumers about plans that better fit their budgets and lifestyles.

We look forward to partnering with key stakeholders and working together to protect and improve energy choice for all New Jersey consumers.