Electric Choice in PA
GIVING CONSUMERS
A CHOICE
Pennsylvania consumers have had the option of choosing their electric service provider for 30 years, as part of the Electricity Generation Customer Choice and Competition Act of 1996. Before the state law allowing customers to choose took effect, Pennsylvania had some of the highest electricity prices in the country. Since then, prices have lowered and stabilized, but the full intent of the law was never realized.
Electric choice in Pennsylvania isn’t keeping up with consumer demands, technology and market trends.
22.5%
Residential customers have switched electricity suppliers.*
40.4%
Commercial customers have switched electricity suppliers.*
79.3%
Industrial customers have switched electricity suppliers.*
CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE MADE THE SWITCH IN PA
TRANSMISSION & DISTRIBUTION:
Managed by utility companies like PECO, PPL, PennPower, Penelec, Met-Ed.
The state’s 1996 electric choice act deemed it in the best interest of the public for transmission (or the movement of large amounts of high voltage electricity across long distances) and distribution (the building and operating of poles, wires, and substations) to remain a “natural monopoly” subject to regulation and oversight by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
YOU HAVE THE POWER TO CHOOSE
SUPPLIER:
State and national retail supply companies.
Opening the electricity market increased competition among suppliers, those that procure electricity on your behalf. That means you can compare plans and maximize aspects that matter most to you, whether that is contract length, price, green energy, cash back, flexibility, or any other factors that best fit the way you use electricity.
UNDERSTANDING PA'S ELECTRICITY MARKET
Right now, your electric bill is broken up into two parts:
HERE'S THE PROBLEM
Consumers who don’t choose their electricity supplier—roughly three-fourths of all residential customers—automatically default to their utility company. That means regulated monopolies have little incentive to invest in innovation, efficiency, or customer service. Plus, they lean on ratepayers to recoup production losses.
On the other hand, competitive retail suppliers must innovate, enhance efficiency, seek lower customer costs, offer creative renewable energy plans, and manage risk on behalf of consumers while bearing any cost increases, unlike utilities that pass on those costs to customers. Customer service is paramount, with suppliers focused on giving consumers greater control to pick the electricity plan that makes the most sense for them
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In a truly competitive market, YOUR needs must be met.
According to the Public Utility Commission’s “2024 Pennsylvania Electric Reliability Report,” the total number of outages and interruption events all increased significantly in 2024. Pennsylvania experienced the highest number of electricity outages in 30 years in 2024, as reportable outages jumped from 49 in 2023 to 71, and affected customers increased from 1.67 million to 2.8 million. Severe storms, vegetation-related damage, and an aging power grid are listed as ongoing challenges local utilities must address.