Over the past few decades more and more states in the country have adopted legislation that allows for energy choice among consumers. The ability for customers to now choose their utilities companies is the result of various levels of federal restructured of this industry. While not all states have made this option available to residential and commercial customers, many have taken these steps to create competition within the utility industry.

Restructured is made possible through the combined efforts of state legislatures and the public utility commissions and effectively opens up competition for electricity and natural gas supply.

These measures allow residents and business owners who are the consumers of power to choose an alternative but licensed supplier for their electrical and natural gas needs. The producer and deliverer of the power source remains regulated, and it is responsible to the local utility company.

Prior to restructured, the local utility company provided all parts of natural gas and electricity service. This included generating the power, transmitting it and distributing it to consumers.

With competition and energy choice programs these parts are separated into different companies that perform different services. Generation refers to the production of energy through power plants using either nuclear, fossil fuel or renewable generation technology.

This component of the cycle is not regulated and because of competition in the industry, customers are able to negotiate the best prices, select from renewable energy options, and shop around for customer service and benefits that they may not be currently receiving.

The transmission and distribution of power is the component that actually delivers the electricity across poles and wires, and natural gas through pipelines to your home and business.

These services are provided to consumers by the local utility company which is responsible for maintaining the infrastructure and responding to emergencies and power disruptions.

The public utility commission continues to regulate transmission and distribution of power in order to guarantee safe and reliable service. This service is not a negotiable component of the energy choice options in restructuring markets.

Most individuals and businesses have been affected by the continuous rise in utility costs over the past several years. As costs have increased and are predicted to continue to rise, these expenses become a larger and larger portion of household budgets and businesses’ operating expenses.

Customers are looking towards energy choice as an option to insure that they are paying the best rate for reliable service. Utility companies who operate in restructuring markets can offer this choice to customers and compete in the volatile market.

There are many on-going circumstances and conditions that impact this market including extreme weather, political conditions, continuing turmoil in the Middle East and other oil-producing parts of the world, international threats of terror and the increasing worldwide demand for oil and other natural resources.

Despite these threatening realities, consumers can now protect their business and home from the instability of power markets by locking in rates through available energy choice programs offered by their local natural gas and electricity companies.

MXenergy is a leader in energy choice as well as a retail power company which offers commercial and retail electricity.

Please visit us at http://www.mxenergy.com/ for all your energy needs.

Author Bio: MXenergy is a leader in energy choice as well as a retail power company which offers commercial and retail electricity.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: energy choice , energy provider, energy prices, energy assessment