Marketers Form American Coalition of Competitive Energy Suppliers to Focus on Education Efforts

Several retail electric and natural gas suppliers have formed the American Coalition of Competitive Energy Suppliers (ACCES) to undertake a consumer education and media outreach effort to provide the public with clear and accurate information about energy choice.

Initial members of ACCES include Direct Energy, Energy Plus Holdings LLC, IGS Energy, U.S. Gas & Electric, Inc., and Vectren Source.

ACCES has enlisted Strategic Communications, LLC to carry out its education and outreach initiatives.

"Consumer education is a key component of customer satisfaction," said Tami Wilson, President at Vectren Source. "This effort will help to articulate information about energy competition in terms easily understood by the consumer in order to raise awareness about the benefits of choice, including value-added products and services provided by suppliers," Wilson said.

"Ultimately, the goal of the group is to empower consumers to make informed decisions that best meet their individual needs when purchasing energy from competitive suppliers," ACCES said in a statement.

In the coming months, ACCES said that it will launch a website with regularly updated content designed for easy access by consumers, policymakers, and the news media. The website will include general information on topics such as what energy choice is, the benefits of choice, and how consumers can shop. The site will also offer specific information on the unique features of each state marketplace.

Additional efforts and campaigns, and the work product for each (brochures, guides, white papers, etc.) are still being evaluated by ACCES members.