The following is a news release from The Energy Professionals Association (TEPA) and the Retail Energy Supply Association (RESA). RetailEnergyX.com disclaims any responsibility for the content or data contained in the release below, and makes no averment as to its accuracy or statements.

TEPA, RESA Support Creating a Wisconsin Retail Energy Market with Comments on the Public Service Commission’s Strategic Energy Assessment 2024

CHICAGO – August 9, 2018 - The Energy Professionals Association (TEPA), jointly with the Retail Energy Supply Association (RESA), announced today they filed comments with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin regarding the state’s Draft Strategic Energy Assessment 2024 (“Draft SEA 2024”). The two organizations’ comments were filed on Monday, July 23, to urge the Commission to take the initial steps towards giving electricity consumers access to the benefits of a competitive market.

“TEPA is very proactive in fostering the discussion surrounding fully functioning retail energy markets,” said David C. Wiers, president of the TEPA Midwest Chapter. “This is especially true in states like Wisconsin, where I was raised, and where electricity consumers don’t enjoy the benefits of a truly competitive wholesale and open electricity market. The comments we filed were to encourage policymakers to directly address the problem of Wisconsin’s rising cost of electricity. We’re confident that a competitive market in Wisconsin would mitigate electric rate increases for consumers across the state.”

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Wisconsin electricity consumers, in all classes, pay among the highest prices in the Midwest region. The state has experienced the second highest percentage increase in overall (All-Sector) average electricity prices in the contiguous United States over the past two decades. Within the second highest All-Sector percentage increase performance, Wisconsin scored the highest percentage Residential class and Commercial Class increases.

“Wisconsin electricity consumers have sadly shouldered above-market electricity prices for the past decade,” said Darrin Pfannenstiel, president of RESA. “Like TEPA, we’ve found that competitive markets do a far better job at reducing the burden of electricity prices among consumers. We hope the comments we filed with the Commission will lead to an open dialogue that addresses the rising energy costs that Wisconsin consumers have suffered over the past two decades.”

The organizations’ joint filing concluded with a recommendation that the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin initiate a discussion of regulatory reform that would provide a forum for stakeholders to address the market access for Wisconsin electricity consumers. It further urged the Commission to take initial steps toward giving electricity consumers access to the benefits of competitive markets.

“From lower average electricity costs to more robust energy savings programs, like Demand Response services, we know that competitive retail energy is already working for consumers across the country,” said Andrew Barth, National TEPA President. “That’s why we’re not only advocating on behalf of Wisconsin consumers, but have also initiated dialogue with policymakers in Nevada and California. We believe in fair retail competition and know it’s in the best interest of consumers across the country.”

About TEPA

Established in 2005, The Energy Professionals Association is a 501(c)(6) comprised of independent energy aggregators, brokers and consultants “ABCs”, as well as energy suppliers and other energy related entities seeking the advancement of fair, deregulated energy markets. TEPA is a self-regulating body aimed at improving processes and ensuring “ABCs” maintain an acceptable level of market knowledge and responsibility while transacting in the marketplace. Members of the ABC indirect sales channel community provide a forum for developing common interests and perpetuating the integrity of competitive markets. For more information visit www.tepaUSA.org.

About RESA

The Retail Energy Supply Association is a broad and diverse group of retail energy suppliers who share the common vision that competitive retail energy markets deliver a more efficient, customer-oriented outcome than a regulated utility structure. RESA is devoted to working with all stakeholders to promote vibrant and sustainable competitive retail energy markets for residential, commercial and industrial consumers. For more information visit www.resausa.org.

Tags:
Wisconsin   Deregulation   Electric Choice  

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