Conference to Explore Pennsylvania's Electricity Competition Opportunities

PennFuture, Pennsylvania’s leading conservation organization, is sponsoring a day-long event in Harrisburg on December 3 to examine the environmental and economic benefits obtained through competitive electricity markets.

The conference – Competitive Electricity Markets: Benefits for Consumers and the Environment – will address innovative energy efficiency and demand response programs that flourish in the state’s competitive market — saving consumers money and reducing electricity consumption. The event also will explore the significant impact of renewable energy, especially wind energy that has prospered within Pennsylvania’s competitive market structure.

The 1996 “Electricity Generation Customer Choice and Competition Act” made Pennsylvania a national leader in electricity market reform. With the imminent expiration of electricity rate caps across the state — the legislation's competitive reforms will at last be fully realized. Pennsylvania will have the opportunity to show the nation the full benefits a robust competitive electricity market delivers in innovation, reliability and affordable electricity.

Featured speakers include John Hanger, Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection; Jim Cawley, Chairman, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission; Nora Brownell, former Pennsylvania Public Utility Commissioner and former Federal Energy Regulatory Commissioner; Glen Thomas, former Chairman, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission; and Chris Ross, Pennsylvania State Representative (R-Chester). The event will also spotlight how major corporations, such as COMPETE members Leggett & Platt and WalMart, have participated in and benefited from competitive markets. To see the whole agenda or attend this free event, click here.

Joel Malina | November 30, 2009