Electric and natural gas prices have skyrocketed over the last few years and energy experts anticipate electric and natural gas consumer bills to keep climbing, due in large part to our inclusion in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Commonwealth consumers are rightfully frustrated with their energy bills. 

I plan to introduce legislation to provide customers with more options and more control over their energy decisions. This legislation would also make it easier for them to work directly with a retail supplier of their choice in order to maximize savings for that customer. 

Under provisions of the legislation, electric and natural gas customers who choose a competitive electric or natural gas supplier would receive a single bill from that same competitive electric or natural gas supplier. This will enhance energy product and service innovation and improve customer service as suppliers find new ways to best assist customers. It will also improve transparency by allowing consumers to see exactly how much they are being charged for their electric and natural gas services. 

The Consumer Choice Billing Act would also increase consumer protections through billing, collection, and recordkeeping reforms that include but are not limited to: 1) change competitive marketing and sales practices; 2) reduce utility risk by requiring a higher level of technical competence and financial security for competitive suppliers to be eligible to bill their consumers directly; 3) strengthen competitive electric and natural gas supplier qualifications to ensure that only credible, qualified suppliers are participating in the competitive market. 

When we purchase an item from a retailer that needs to be shipped to our home, we are not billed by the shipping entity. If a customer purchases electricity or natural gas from a retail supplier, then that supplier would have the ability to bill the customer directly under this bill.  

Please join me in cosponsoring this important piece of legislation.