As an expert in the field of clean energy, I have seen firsthand the impact that consumer choice can have on the electricity market. Many people are unaware that their electrical service is made up of two parts: supply and delivery. In New York's competitive electricity market, consumers now have the power to choose where their power supply comes from. This means that you can support cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions by opting for Green Power for part or all of your supply. The decision to switch energy providers is a personal one, and it can be motivated by a variety of factors.
Some may be looking for a better price, while others may want to support renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or hydroelectric power. History has shown that when a single utility company is responsible for generating, transmitting, and distributing electricity in a specific area, consumers often end up paying higher rates. This is where energy deregulation comes into play. Energy deregulation occurs when governments reduce or relax regulations on electricity and gas markets, allowing multiple companies to compete for business and eliminating regional monopolies. Currently, there are 18 states in the United States Department of State with full or partial regions that offer deregulated energy options for gas, electricity, or both. One important factor to consider when choosing your electricity supply is your current usage, which can be found on your utility bill.
While community solar energy is not yet available in all states, those with active projects offer the opportunity for consumers to save on their electricity bills while also contributing to the growth of solar energy in their local grid. Renewable energy is quickly becoming the second largest electricity producer in the country, accounting for 18.2 percent of total generation. However, natural gas still remains the top source of electricity in the United States, making up 40.5 percent of all electricity produced. If you are not satisfied with your current electricity company, you have the option to switch if you live in an unregulated energy market. One type of network that comes from solar energy is community solar, which consists of large central solar power plants that share their electrical energy with multiple properties. Whether you decide to invest in a rooftop solar panel system or subscribe to a community solar program, both options are effective ways to reduce your carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions while also saving money on your electricity bills with renewable energy. What deregulation does for the consumer is provide them with the ability to choose between several companies and benefit from competitive prices, innovative services, and the freedom to make choices based on their specific needs. As Jake Edie, an adjunct professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago who teaches a course on clean energy in the power grid, explains, this is a major advantage for consumers. However, understanding where your electricity comes from is not only easy, but it's also an important way to be responsible when making more environmentally friendly decisions in your life.
While some states have made significant progress in transitioning to renewable energy sources, most still rely heavily on natural gas. According to the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, 13 states and the District of Columbia have completely deregulated or reorganized their electricity services. Depending on where you live, the electricity that reaches your property comes from different combinations of generation capacity.
This can include fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas, as well as renewable energies like hydropower, biomass, solar, and wind energy. These methods use various fuels to turn steam turbines and generate electricity.
