Boston, MA – 4/30/10 – Survey results released today by the New England Energy Alliance (NEEA) finds that a compelling 88 percent of Connecticut consumers support having competition in the electricity industry.  The survey also finds consumers strongly favor having the choice to buy electricity from alternative electricity suppliers in addition to utility companies.

This sentiment is in sharp contrast to legislation currently under consideration by the Connecticut General Assembly that would dampen competition in Connecticut’s wholesale and retail electricity marketplace which was established more than a decade ago along with four other New England States.

“These results show that a super majority of slightly more than 75 percent of consumers believe that competition among private companies is the best way to lower electricity prices, rather than creating greater state authority over the electricity industry,” said NEEA’s Executive Director Paul G. Afonso.  “The findings offer important guideposts to the legislature regarding the opinion of ratepayers who are also voters.”

The survey also found that 75% of consumers favor maintaining a requirement that electric companies provide information to consumers on how to choose alternative electricity suppliers. The consensus is that consumers need more information rather than less on electricity choice and competition options.

A clear majority of consumers (83 percent) expressed preference for the current billing method of receiving one monthly electric bill, rather than two, if electricity is purchased from an alternative supplier – a change also considered this legislative session.

“The survey also found that 75% of respondents felt it was extremely important that the Legislature focus on job creation and economic development, while just 24% had the same feeling about additional regulation of the electricity companies.   “The Legislature seems out of touch with the concerns of consumers,” said Afonso.

The telephone survey was performed for NEEA by Opinion Dynamics Corporation of Waltham, MA.  Interviewing was conducted between April 14 – 21 among 241 registered voters (consumers) in Connecticut as part of a broader, region-wide survey.  The margin of error on the Connecticut portion of the sample is ±6.3%

The question-by-question results are available on NEEA’s website. (www.newenglandenergyalliance.org).

To contract your electricity now, visit www.bcc-energy.com.