What People Are Saying About Electricity Competition
The COMPETE Coalition recently held a policy briefing on Capitol Hill examining how competitive electricity markets are driving innovation, empowering consumers, and protecting the environment. The event featured opening remarks by FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff and a panel discussion by COMPETE members. Below are a few of the most salient comments from those who monitor these markets and benefit from them on a daily basis.
Competition Benefits Customers
"Competition is good. More competition is better. And efficient, full - competition with the demand and supply side incorporated into those markets is best…It does really empower consumers, I believe, to have choices and also to control their bills, to control their costs. And we’re going to see it translate to the residential level."
The Honorable Jon Wellinghoff, Chairman, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
"Back in 1993, the average customer in the Pittsburgh area was paying about $68.81 for their power. We deregulated in 1996, and we did have a 10-year rate cap. Duquesne came out of that rate cap in 2004. Well, in 2009, that Duquesne customer is paying $70.68 for their power. With a cost-of-living adjustment, that customer is paying less for power today than they were in 1992. That’s the remarkable aspect of a functioning competitive power market."
Robert Powelson, Commissioner, Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission
Competition Promotes Innovation
"There is no question that important and measurable environmental benefits come from well-structured competitive markets. It is no accident that some of the more innovative strategies that we have seen, in terms of using demand response as a way of avoiding the need for new peak generation, for avoiding the operation of high-emitting, low-efficiency peak generation, is happening in competitive markets. And likewise with renewable energy development."
Mark Brownstein, Climate and Air Program, Environmental Defense Fund
"Our business model is based on these open markets. Our CEO likes to say we’re the poster child for the benefits of – and the need for – competitive markets."
Judith Judson, Director of Regulatory and Market Affairs, Beacon Power (advanced energy stability, reliability, and efficiency products developer)
Competition Enables Sustainable Initiatives and Renewable Energy
"One of the key cornerstones of our greenhouse gas reduction and sustainability initiatives are the benefits we receive in competitive power markets. We could not be a pioneer or a leader in this area without customer choice for energy supplies. Competitive energy markets are critical to our business."
George Waidelich, Vice President, Energy Operations, Safeway (commercial food and drug retailer with 1,738 stores across the U.S. and Canada)
"Competitive energy markets really offer the best environment in the US for the investment and development of renewable resources."
Jeff Bladen, Vice President, Market Planning & Strategy, Gamesa Energy USA (wind energy developer and wind turbine manufacturer)
