Annapolis, MD (May 10, 2011) – The Retail Energy Supply Association (RESA), a leading trade association of retail energy suppliers committed to advancing vibrant and sustainable competitive residential and commercial retail energy markets, proudly announces that Governor Martin O’Malley will sign into law electricity choice consumer education legislation (SB 244/HB 597) introduced by House Economic Matters Committee Chairman Dereck E. Davis (D – Prince George’s County), Senator Catherine E. Pugh (D – Baltimore City) and Senator Norman Stone (D – Baltimore County).
Currently, approximately 400,000 businesses and residents combined are shopping for electricity in the competitive market in Maryland. “As we have seen in other states, consumers value information provided by a trusted and independent 3rd party source when it comes to this relatively new electricity shopping experience,” says Becky Merola, Maryland State Chair of RESA. “We believe enhanced customer education efforts by the Maryland Public Service Commission will arm Maryland residents with the information they need to make educated and informed decisions about how to shop, switch and save. Once consumers understand that they have the opportunity to shop for their electric supply, as well as have access to renewable energy choices and other product innovations, they are more likely to make the switch.”
“We introduced this legislation so that our constituents and all Marylanders would be better informed about their right to shop for electricity,” said Senator Pugh. “Consumers must first understand how to go about shopping for electricity before they can begin to take advantage of competitive offers. Consumer education is the first step in customers understanding electric choice options.”
“Consumer education and consumer protection go hand in hand,” said Chairman Davis. “If you know you have a legitimate right to shop for electricity and a trusted 3rd party to go to and learn more about these offers, the more likely consumers will be to learn more about their ability to shop, switch and save money in the competitive marketplace.”
An April 2011 EcoAlign survey shows that of 1,000 Americans polled 88 percent thought customer electric choice was a good idea, but less than 50 percent knew they had a residential electric choice.
