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Start-Up Texas REP Launches PowertoConfuse.org To Educate Customers Ahead Of Launch

Retail Provider CEO Says System "Broken"

Company's Approach Will Emphasis Technology, Data

February 21, 2017

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Copyright 2010-17 EnergyChoiceMatters.com
Reporting by Paul Ring • ring@energychoicematters.com

Start-up Texas retail electric provider Griddy announced that it has launched PowertoConfuse.org, which it called, "an easy-to-understand interactive educational resource."

Griddy, launching this spring, said a recent survey analysis found that despite more than 100 retail energy providers (REPs) offering more than 2,000 electricity plans across Texas, 67 percent of Houstonians don’t fully understand their electric bill.

Griddy, the company behind PowertoConfuse.org, said that it, "will launch a first-of-its-kind smarter energy company that puts the ultimate in energy savings in Texans’ hands, delivering real-time usage statistics and price alerts right to their smartphones to help lower electricity bills by up to 25 percent."

Griddy's launch and internet portal-focused approach had exclusively been first reported by EnergyChoiceMatters.com in September 2016

At the time of its initial REP certificate filing, Griddy Energy LLC said that it was an affiliate of Northeast retail supplier Star Energy Partners LLC

In its original REP application, Griddy Energy stated that it has built a unique, proprietary technology platform. Griddy's customers will be charged the applicable 15-minute interval rate in the ERCOT real-time market, plus a daily management fee of less than $1.00. Through Griddy's proprietary online portal, each consumer will have real-time access to the cost of the wholesale energy they consume.

With its technology focus, notable members of Griddy's leadership team, as of the time of its original REP, filing, include Luke Dallafior, CMO, and Jason Rudder, CIO

Dallafior previously co-founded Tritium Security as well as ClearWidth, an IT company. Dallafior also previously served as General Manager & Group Vice President - Communications Solutions at British Telecom (BT) - Infonet, and as President - BellSouth International Access

Rudder previously held senior positions at CoinX and served as CTO at Trucoin, both of which are bitcoin exchanges. Rudder also held positions at Tritium Security, ClearWidth, and BT - Infonet

Griddy also counts several retail energy market vets among its leadership, click here for further details on Griddy's leadership and formation

"Electricity bills are loaded with hidden fees and there’s far too much complexity for anyone to understand. It’s no surprise that picking a provider has been daunting for many consumers. Until now," said Gregory L. Craig, CEO of Griddy. "We created PowertoConfuse.org to empower Texans to save money by cracking the code on confusing energy bills and exposing energy providers’ most egregious fees and worst business practices."

"The system is broken, and it’s no surprise that the industry faces a staggering 40 percent annual churn rate. Texans are tired of the status quo, and it’s time to do something about it," said Craig. "We’re lifting the lid on how the energy industry works. The website is the first step to help all consumers understand just how convoluted the market is and why it’s time for a new way of doing business."

According to the survey, conducted by independent research firm Lab42, two-thirds of Houstonians don’t fully understand their energy bills, Griddy said. Additionally, about half say that lowering energy costs is the primary area of improvement they’d like to see from their current energy company, and 42 percent say they want improvements in transparency, timeliness and accuracy of rate and energy usage information. Four in ten Houstonians reported that they would change REPs today if they weren’t locked into a contract, Griddy said

"The PowertoConfuse.org site is designed to help consumers navigate the mountain of confusing acronyms, fees and other intricacies that are not easily understood in today’s electricity market. Inspired by the state-run PowertoChoose.com website, which purports to help Texans understand the electricity plan options in their area, the educational portal houses research, easy-to-understand infographics, informative articles and expert commentary to help Texans make sense of the convoluted Texas electricity market," Griddy said

"The site also presents a range of helpful information designed to help Texans cut through the confusion of the Texas REP market and take back control over their electric bills," Griddy said

Griddy said that the website features help Texans:

• "Decode the confusing charges on energy bills—including 22 of the most common hidden fees, ranging from non-autopay charges to fees for contacting customer service."

• "Decipher the most common plan types offered and avoid common pitfalls of each."

• "Better understand the opportunities to cut their bills through small changes, like running the dishwasher at night."

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