Energy Consumer Benefits and Protections are Focus of NEM Policy Roundtable

The National Energy Marketers Association (NEM) gathered a diverse group of energy industry leaders at its Connecticut Policy Leadership Roundtable on September 11, 2013, at The Hartford Club in Hartford, Connecticut. The stakeholders engaged in a groundbreaking conversation of how to transition the standard electric utility service model using competitive market mechanisms that rely on private capital and resources to leverage the maximum benefits and maximum protections to consumers. All of the meeting participants agreed that the paramount consideration in any change to the current utility standard offer structure is the value that can be derived for consumers coupled with ensuring consumers are adequately protected in the competitive marketplace. CT DEEP Commissioner Dan Esty recognized, “the value of using private resources to build the market,” and the need to, “make the retail marketplace work for the consumer.” Esty said, “consumer choice is fundamental to Governor Malloy’s vision,” and that private sector, not government, should be relied upon to figure out the best solutions.

Esty stated, “competition has great value, only if the market is functioning well,” and called for increased transparency, consumer education and industry self-discipline in the retail electric market to achieve that goal. CT Consumer Counsel Elin Katz suggested that improved energy consumer protection measures should emanate from the industry itself.