Many states have already instituted deregulation among electrical utility companies and electricity rates are already falling. As more and more consumer advocates call for deregulation, consumers all over the country are waiting for cheaper electricity. Deregulation opens up the nation’s electricity rates to competition which is the backbone of the American free enterprise system. Sitting back and waiting on things to change is not the watchword of these companies as they have literally taken the bull by the horns and begun to push out of control electricity rates back into line.
New energy companies are forming as you read this article in response to the deregulation move that will allow them to help consumers save money and provide cheap electricity. Just like when the phone company monolopy was broken during the 1980s, prices will fall and competition for your business will grow. In communities where deregulation has already occurred businesses are seeing an increase in consumer spending which is helping to spur economic growth in these areas. In the Chicago area alone, more than 2 million dollars were saved by consumers who chose an alternative energy company over their previous big monopoly.
Choosing a different electricity provider does not mean you will get less service or suffer from overload problems. Most consumers who have made the switch are praising the new companies for taking time to spend with them as they compete with the big boys to gain market share. Cheaper electricity and millions in savings seems to be the bottom line as this new technology and service is provided to a growing consumer base. These savings will then be put back into the local economy from the consumer end where local businesses can benefit from the added revenue.
While electric companies continue to hold a monopoly in most areas, grass roots efforts have begun to find footing in areas that were once thought to be impenetrable. By lobbying their legislators and teaming up with other consumers, many localities are finding cheaper electricity rates. In areas where deregulation is occurring, more old companies are beginning to offer better service and drop their rates in anticipation of rate wars with smaller, leaner and hungrier competitors. Continued consumer pressure on legislators and utility commissions will allow this movement to grow and find electricity rates falling in many other areas of the country soon.
Dreaming and doing are two separate things but the big dreams of many people are coming true with deregulation. Business owners, communities and individual consumers are all benefiting from cheap electricity rates. While it may be pricing that gets people to switch in the early stages, it will be the improved customer service that keeps them coming back. In a market where many people feel they have been disregarded, this change in atmosphere will make a big difference. Deregulation of the energy companies will lead to lower cheap electricity but will also help energy companies to become better local citizens as they will be better placed to act locally instead of being spread all over a region.
