New Jersey electric customers have more rate options than ever before.  The four local utilities – PSE&G, JCP&L, Atlantic City Electric, Rockland Electric – all have default electric rates that are higher than competitive market rates for power.

Despite this opportunity for savings, only 3.3% (as of September 2010) of all New Jersey customers have switched away from default service on to lower rate structures.  Larger businesses have been quicker to switch as the Board of Public Utilities in New Jersey reports about 72% of the states largest customers (those using above 10o0 KW demand) have contracted out with alternative suppliers.

The consumers who can really benefit from electricity deregulation in NJ are the small business and residential customers.  The switch rate with these classes are extremely low.  Though New Jersey has had a deregulated electricity market for several years now, there has only been real savings opportunities available over the last 20 months or so.  NJ Electricity choice is still a new idea for many NJ residents.

What people in New Jersey should understand is that their local utility company is no longer responsible for their supply charges.  The utility companies, such as PSE&G and JCP&L, want their customers to shop for lower electric rates.  They do not profit off of the default service that they offer to customers who do not shop.  The utility companies are now soley in the business of delivering power.

We have found that most small businesses in New Jersey can expect to see savings between 10-20% if they take the time to shop the electricity market and compare prices.  Residential customers, depending on their utility, can see savings between 5-15%.

ElectricityWatch recommends customers look for electric prices that are fixed.
PSEG Rates

JCPL Rates

Atlantic City Electric Rates

Peco energy customers are preparing for electricity choice. On January 1, 2011 capped electric rates for all Peco electricity customers (residential, commercial, and industrial) will expire and a true competitive electric market will take shape.

The restructuring is the result of Pennsylvania’s Electric Choice Act of 1996, which forced traditional utilities to divest their power plants and become merely regulated distributors of electricity over their wires. Peco customers have seen their rates stay at constant rates since 1998. When those rates expire at the start of the new year, some customers will see there electric rates on their utility bills increase. To offset the increases and even save more than current prices, Peco customers are encouraged to shop for lower electric rates.

Peco energy makes money from a regulated distribution fee, not from generating the power itself. They are mandated by the state to provide default electric rates for those electricity customers who are slow to shop the competitive market.

One of the biggest misunderstandings is that Peco will be upset with their customers if they choose a lower cost electric supplier. This is a false belief. Peco energy is not in the business of providing electric generation rates and are unable to do so based on the Pennsylvania’s Electric Choice Act of 1996. Peco Energy is actually encouraging their customers to shop for lower electric rates.

Electric rates in Texas are down to levels that have not been seen since 2002 when the electricity market first became deregulated.  The downward trend in electricity prices has been a result of falling natural gas prices throughout 2010.

Both residential and commercial electric customers are benefiting from the lower electric rates.  Residential customers are signing fixed electric rates in the $0.08 – $0.09 cents per KWh range, where previously they had been as high as $0.17.  If you haven’t checked your electric bill rate in awhile, now would be a good time.  Often if you remain with a provider for a long time without signing a contract, they will gradually raise the rate even if the market does not dictate that to happen.  Your bill should clearly state the rate (cents per KWh) that you are paying.  If the rate is above 9 cents and you are not in a contract, shop for a lower fixed electric rate.

Commercial electricity customers are seeing rates below $0.05 per KWh.  This is a huge drop off from where the electricity market was just two years ago when in was not abnormal to sign a fixed electricity contract above $0.09 per KWh.  The lower electric business rates have allowed many businesses to drastically cut down on their energy costs.