Pennsylvania Policymakers to Discuss Retail Energy Market Achievements at NEM Conference

The National Energy Marketers Association (NEM) has announced a formal agenda for its Annual Fall Policy Leadership Roundtable on October 29-30, 2013, in Harrisburg, Pa.

"NEM is honored to host our 2013 Policy Leadership Roundtable in Pennsylvania. When we selected the Commonwealth to hold NEM's Annual Roundtable in 2010, electric rate caps had just expired or were near expiration and consumer shopping was minimal," said Craig Goodman, President of NEM. "However, since that time, the growth of the competitive electricity market in Pennsylvania has been stunning. And, we attribute this phenomenal success to the well-planned, proactive energy policies and strong leadership of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC)," said Goodman.

Link to NEM Agenda, Conference Details

Policy discussion leaders will include Pennsylvania PUC Chairman Robert Powelson, Vice Chairman John Coleman, and Commissioners James Cawley, Pamela Witmer and Gladys Brown, as well as state representatives Jeff Pyle Bryan Barbin, and Commission Staff. Additionally, utility representatives and energy consumers will be in attendance.

Panels will focus on post-2015 default service, consumer protection and education, and facilitating natural gas competition.

"We are delighted that NEM chose Pennsylvania as the location for this year's conference. Our state is a hotbed for retail electric competition, with over two million customers shopping for an electric supplier. However, we recognize that there is room to grow," said Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Chairman Robert F. Powelson.

"The PUC recently set the stage for the next phase in the development of the state's retail electricity market. In addition, the PUC is now in the process of launching an investigation into the state's retail natural gas market to ensure consumers have the opportunity to realize the benefits of Pennsylvania's abundant natural resources. I look forward to the dialogue that will occur during the Leadership Roundtable, as well as the ideas that will grow out of bringing so many players in the retail energy markets to the table to talk about emerging issues," Chairman Powelson added.