By Andrew MaykuthInquirer Staff Writer, Friday, January 28, 2011In the new world of competitive electricity markets, one alternative power supplier has attracted the attention of regulators in two states.North American Power, a Connecticut company, is facing a deceptive-practices complaint from the Maryland Public Service Commission that could lead to the loss of its license there.And in Pennsylvania, North American's salespeople have raised eyebrows with aggressive tactics, including a website apparently designed to look like papowerswitch.com, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission site aimed at assisting customers with deregulated markets."Oh, wow, this is a concern," Irwin A. "Sonny" Popowsky, Pennsylvania's consumer advocate, said after viewing the copycat website, which uses the name papowerswitch.org instead of ".com."North American Power officials, responding to questions from The Inquirer on Thursday, scrambled to assure the PUC and Popowsky that the imitation website was not sanctioned by it but had been put up by one of its brokers, who receive commissions for signing up customers."Consistent with North American Power's zero-tolerance policy for these violations, North American Power has terminated the independent representative and taken steps to have the site taken down," said Carrie Waible O'Brien, a company spokeswoman.Jennifer Kocher, the PUC's spokeswoman, said the commission was reviewing its legal options."PUC regulations and our marketing guidelines dictate that the license holder is responsible for any fraudulent, deceptive, or unlawful marketing acts performed by its agents or representatives," she said. Read more>>> ...read more

As the energy market grows more complex with new regulations, extra fees, and penalties for exceeding energy usage, carbon commitment reductions and prices going up and down all the time. It has never been so hard to keep control of our business energy expenditures which brings to the spotlight the need of hiring an independent energy broker. Energy brokers are highly skilled and knowledgeable professionals trained to help businesses of all sizes reduce their energy costs by improving their energy efficiency and consequently reducing their carbon footprint. It is important to notice how energy saving, efficiency and CO2 footprint reduction are all tied up and as afore mentioned an energy broker can help businesses alike improve in all three areas. Energy brokers can help companies make significant savings in their energy bills, through well informed procurement decisions, by eliminating and recovering over-payments, and by helping those customers manage their energy consumption through consumption data reports, and ongoing invoice analysis. In most cases energy brokers are not tied to any major supplier that is why they can provide independent advice by analysing a comprehensive panel of suppliers to find the right solution for your business with total transparency. Transparency is very important to take for granted when hiring these professionals. Look for energy consultancy firms that offer a free procurement service, impartial advice and comparisons. This will ensure that the best available deals are presented to you despite the deals between the suppliers and the energy consultancy firm. …"To request a FREE energy rates analysis,http://philadelphiaalternativeenergysuppliers.com/free-energy-rate-analysis/. ...read more

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By Michelle Karas When the electric-rate caps expire at the end of the month, Pennsylvania consumers will have some decisions to make. The caps have been in place since 1996 for most of the state. While consumers may do nothing – that is, stick with current electricity providers – they also now may shop for a more competitive rate or a company that uses alternative energy sources. Entering the electricity "playing field" in the Philadelphia area, which is serviced by PECO, Met-Ed and PPL for the most part, are a number of companies that want to compete for residential and commercial electricity business. Because PECO Energy provides electricity for most folks in Greater Philadelphia, we'll focus on it. Some of the new alternative suppliers of electricity are offering discounts of up to 10 percent off "rates to compare" recently announced by PECO for 2011, according to information provided by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. full story>>> ...read more

The process for requesting a FREE energy rates analysis is as easy as 1-2-3.  Listen to learn how to request the FREE analysis. <object id="104525" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="210" height="105" codebase="><name="name" value="104525" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name=" src" value="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/btrplayer.swf?file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2Fthetherminator%2Fplay_list.xml&amp;autostart=false&amp;bufferlength=5&amp;volume=80&amp;corner=rounded&amp;callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/flashplayercallback.aspx" /><param name="flashvars" value="file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2fthetherminator%2fplay_list.xml&amp;autostart=false&amp;shuffle=false&amp;callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FlashPlayerCallback.aspx&amp;width=210&amp;height=105&amp;volume=80&amp;corner=rounded" /><embed id="104525" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="210" height="105" src="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/btrplayer.swf?file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2Fthetherminator%2Fplay_list.xml&amp;autostart=false&amp;bufferlength=5&amp;volume=80&amp;corner=rounded&amp;callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/flashplayercallback.aspx" allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2fthetherminator%2fplay_list.xml&amp;autostart=false&amp;shuffle=false&amp;callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FlashPlayerCallback.aspx&amp;width=210&amp;height=105&amp;volume=80&amp;corner=rounded" quality="high" wmode="transparent" menu="false" name="104525"></embed></object><div style="text-align: center; width: 220px; font-size: 10px;">Listen to <a href="internet">internet">http://www.blogtalkradio.com">internetradio</a> with <a href="Commercial">Commercial">http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thetherminator">CommercialEnergy</a> on Blog Talk Radio</div> ...read more

Electricity and natural gas rates are showing no signs of dropping anytime soon.  While the country is finding new natural gas fields primarily in the northeast, it will take awhile for the gas to finally become available on the open market. In the case of electricity, prices continue to climb with no ceiling in sight.  As transportation powered by electricity becomes more prevalent, that translates into additional usage by both residential and commercial consumers. While there is lots of talk about conservation, there is little talk about finding best pricing.  Turning off the lights, smart meters, and hourly pricing (primarily for businesses) are all methods that have been repeatedly asked to use. However, we consumers have not heard much discussion regarding analyzing rates to ensure commercial and residential consumers are paying the best/lowest price available for service.  Business and residential consumers in deregulated states can receive 3 party rates analyses for service pricing.  The process for receiving aFREE rates analysisis very simple and easy.  Locate at least 3 previous months' bills.  You'll need to provide the complete bills as there is coded information on them that is needed for the analysis. Fill out an LOA (Letter of Authorization) and the"No Obligation Questionaire"for your deregulated state (Pennsylvania) which gives your current provider authorization to release historical usage data ONLY.  Note:The LOA must be signed by a company officer who has the authority to request an analysis.  This document is no way gives authorization for any switching of the service whatsoever.  If you find that the service has been switched without your expressed written authorization and signature, contact your state's attorney general's office immediately. Fax the complete pack of documents (previous bills, LOA, and No Obligation Questionaire) to the appropriate energy consultant/broker.  Fax: 866-225-5751AND972-704-2879.  While some energy brokers boast of offering immediate pricing, pricing does change regularly.  The best consultants tell clients to allow them at least a week to get a price quote back to them. Without question, utilization of a free rates analysis can help businesses save anywhere from 5-20% on the price paid for electricity and/or natural gas. These savings are only for the per therm and/or per KWH rate paid.  This pricing is outside of any tax or delivery charges. ...read more

ALLENTOWN – PPL Electric Utilities customers now have two more ways to learn about how to be more energy-efficient and save energy at home with a new E-power home assessment and weatherization program. The program is open to residential customers with single-family homes that are either all electric or have central air conditioning. Participants can choose an E-power home energy survey for a flat $50 fee. The cost of a more extensive E-power home energy audit will vary by contractor, but customers will receive a $250 rebate on the audit if their home is all-electric. Customers whose homes are not all electric, but that have central air conditioning, can get a $150 rebate. With either the survey or audit, customers will receive the following energy efficiency measures: n Up to six compact fluorescent light bulbs. n A power strip. n Water flow restrictor. n Electric water heater temperature test and adjustment of water heater temperature if desired. n Pipe insulation where applicable. full story>>> ...read more