It’s a common practice of economics – when companies compete for your business, you have the ability to win. In several markets around the country, including Pennsylvania, governments have deregulated energy utilities to allow for companies to compete for electric and gas customers. In turn, this competition provides cheaper energy prices and freedom to choose the best energy supplier for your business.

What is Energy Deregulation?

The foundation for energy deregulation began in 1992 with the birth of the National Energy Policy Act. This act created the outline for a competitive wholesale of the electricity market. While this act focuses primarily on electricity, it also paved the way for deregulation of other energy options in the United States. In 1999, the Natural Gas Choice and Competition Act was signed into Pennsylvania law to give consumers the freedom of choice. These acts mean that you, the consumer, can enjoy the freedom to purchase your energy from any supplier that you feel best fits your needs.

How Energy Deregulation Saves You Money

While the freedom of choosing any energy supplier you want sounds like a one-step process of saving money, it’s actually just the beginning of your money-saving options. Here are some benefits to energy deregulation.

  • Competitive Prices – Suppliers need to focus on making their energy product more affordable than their competitors. By researching energy price trends, comparing suppliers, and taking advantage of promotions at the right time, you can save your business a substantial amount of money over time.
  • Flexibility – With the ever-changing nature of the energy market, suppliers need to be as flexible as possible to stay ahead of their competitors. This includes flexible terms, pricing, services, and billing.
  • Innovative Services – Suppliers need to continue to provide enticing services and offers to help sway customers from their competitors. Services such as pre-buy programs for gas users, energy-saving technology offers for new customers, and energy-usage analytics to track savings and efficiency are unique add-ons suppliers offer to their customers.

The power to choose means that you can find the best and most affordable energy plan for your business. Before deregulation, you had to figure out how to fit your energy costs into your budget and make it work. By having the freedom to choose your energy supplier, the power is now in your hands.

To learn more about commercial energy shopping and the benefits of choosing UGI EnergyLink as your energy supplier, check out the commercial energy section of our website or call us at
1-800-427-8545.