Note: While North American Power confirmed to us that it is not offering its Understandabill tool in New York since it is not enrolling new customers there due to uncertainty, all analyses and opinion in this article concerning the New York market and the misalignment of its stated goals and regulatory actions are solely that of RetailEnergyX.com and author Paul Ring

Uncertainty in the New York retail market has cost its customers access to a retail supplier's new energy usage report and forecast, even as the state claims these are the very products (particularly those that reduce usage and help sustainability goals) that the state expects competitive providers to bring to the market.

Specifically, New Yorkers are missing out on North American Power's new Understandabill tool, a monthly energy report that provides its customers with electricity usage predictions, a categorized breakdown of how the electricity is used, and personalized recommendations on how to use less.

The tool is notable in being able to immediately offer such insights to customers even without AMI data (which is not yet available in New York), as Understandabill utilizes a physics-based model that processes hundreds of data points, including the customer’s answers to survey questions, information on their home, historical usage, weather patterns, other regional information, and more

For specifics on Understandabill features, see EnergyChoiceMatters.com's story

In short, however, the Understandabill tool offers customers a simple means to understand their energy usage and spend, and to take specific actions to reduce usage and their next bill, saving money while helping the environment -- goals constantly touted by New York policymakers.

As first reported by EnergyChoiceMatters.com, North American Power is launching Understandabill to new customers in nine states -- Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.

Notably absent from that list? New York

North American Power told us that, "until the future of the marketplace in New York becomes more clear given recent events, we have opted to temporarily hold off on accepting new electricity and natural gas enrollments in that state," and hence, and as Understandabill is initially being rolled out to new customers, New York customers cannot choose service to take advantage of the innovative tool

North American Power is working to expand Understandabill to its existing customers, which it said should happen this summer

In contrast to New York, North American Power told us that the company, "fully intend[s]," to bring Understandabill to Texas.

However, the company's focus was to first launch the product in Northeast markets, most of which do no have smart meters, and, "where there have been virtually no other products like Understandabill," North American Power said

North American Power is studying how Understandabill can be tailored to incorporate and leverage smart meter data available in Texas in the best possible way.

North American Power noted that Understandabill is just one example of the innovation that's possible in a competitive market

-- By Paul Ring