ACCES Urges Consumers to Take Control of Their Energy Use This Month

On October 1, 2012, President Barack Obama officially proclaimed October “National Energy Action Month.” Previously dubbed “Energy Awareness Month,” this year’s efforts were renamed to evoke action in line with the President’s Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future.

Through its Federal Energy Management Program, the U.S. Department of Energy is encouraging citizens nationwide to go beyond energy awareness to engage in action, in order to save energy, natural resources and money. The practices advocated – such as turning off lights in the office when the room is not being used and replacing an old shower head with a new, water-saving model – are simple and relatively easy to implement. The potential savings, however, both in terms of money and energy, are significant.

The American Coalition of Competitive Energy Suppliers, a group of competitive natural gas and electricity suppliers committed to consumer education, urges consumers to use this month of October to begin practicing the energy-smart initiatives that will pay dividends long after the trick-or-treaters have gone.

One of ACCES’s primary goals is to empower consumers to take control of their own energy decisions. In states where the energy markets are open to competition, consumers should consider who supplies their natural gas and/or electricity, and the benefits that go far beyond this initial choice. Homeowners, renters, and small businesses owners alike can choose from suppliers that offer many different services, like renewable energy options or fixed-price contracts. As a result, consumers can prioritize their energy needs and chose the company that is best equipped to serve them.

ACCES encourages consumers to celebrate National Energy Action Month by becoming educated on those energy suppliers that can meet their individual needs and preferences. Sometimes consumers do this research and don’t make a switch – that’s ok. That’s a choice, too.

For easy-to-understand information about energy choice, visit the ACCES website at www.competitiveenergy.org to learn which states participate in energy choice, what to look for when shopping for a supplier, consumer rights, educational videos, and much more.