Since energy is a commodity and a need, more choices are better for all parties in the industry
IF“ GREED” WAS THE BUZZWORD 20 YEARS AGO, one could argue that today it is“ choice.” In choice, there is power. When our founder, Jerry Dyess, had the vision for Choose Energy, his goal was to demystify the utilities business for the average consumer. Quite simply, energy is a commodity and a need. And, the more choices, the better it is for everyone involved. Traditional retail companies have long thrived by providing consumers with options. �e proliferation of online marketplaces has given consumers the ability to make smart choices and save money on everything from car insurance to healthcare. However, until recently, consumers didn ' t have a choice when it came to energy – one of the few things that they literally can ' t live without. In states where energy deregulation is becoming more and more prevalent as it has in other countries, many of the consumers in these states either do not know that they have
Page38 | May- June 2016 options, and if they are aware, they likely do not know what or how to choose. �at is where the power of the energy marketplace comes in. At Choose Energy, we not only provide the on l i n e plat for m to pu rchase t h e commodity of energy, but we act as a connector and facilitator, allowing customers to compare and shop for their electric, natural gas and other energy providers. Energy marketplaces provide consumers the ability to see all of the energy supplier ' s offers in one convenient place so they can compare one offer with another, side by side. O�en these same consumers receive offers from energy companies that sound like a good deal but there is no way for them to compare the costs or the bene ts with alternative options. We help them nd the right place and the right planwhether they are looking for a xed plan, a shortterm option, cost savings or a greener choice. Finally, the consumer doesn ' t have to blindly pay their
| FMDZ energy bill and feel like they have no choice when it comes to the provider who keeps their lights and their heat on. We also help the energy suppliers communicate their services through a trustworthy platform so they can attract and retain the right consumers. Suppliers now are competing for the customer ' s business, which puts the consumer in the driver ' s seat. Energy marketplaces bene t the consumer and the provider, by offering services such as comparison, transparency, ease of enrollment and strong customer service while guiding consumers through the decision-making process of comparing and / or switching suppliers. Imagine 20 years ago – even 10 – being able to go online and shop for energy needs. We are currently in eight deregulated electricity states and just announced in January that we have expanded into six deregulated natural gas states, with plans to launch our services in three more states this month. Education is a key factor in the expansion