DALLAS, Sept. 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Retail Energy Supply Association (RESA), a national group of retail energy suppliers, is calling on Nevadans to Vote YES on 3, to enable the state to create a competitive energy market for consumers and end the current energy monopoly. Voting YES will give all consumers in the state the choice to decide who provides their electricity and will lead to better prices, more job creation, improved innovation and environmental stewardship.
In 2016, almost three quarters of Nevadans voted to break up NV Energy's monopoly and open the electricity market to more competition. According to Nevada law, Nevadans must vote again to pass the amendment and end the century old, antiquated monopoly that prevents choice.
The first vote in 2016 was initiated in part by large companies wishing to break free from the only state utility, which was driving up costs and failing to meet the needs and wishes of businesses and consumers. Like most Nevadans, businesses wanted more affordable, environmentally responsible power generation options instead of coal plants.
Opponents to Question 3 claim costs for energy could go up if the state is restructured, but according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, rates in restructured, energy-wise states without monopolies are 14 percent lower than rates in states with no choice of energy providers.
However, in energy monopoly states, residential rates are up seven percent.
"Opponents to Question 3 are attempting to scare voters with false claims about risks, reliability and costs. The simple reality is that monopolies are unnecessary and inefficient. Competition solves problems, innovates, finds a way, and then repeats these steps again and again. Nevada can join the 13 other states and several countries where competition has flourished and benefited consumers," said Philip O'Connor, Ph.D., former Illinois chief utility regulator and Retail Energy Supply Association spokesperson.
Lack of energy diversity prevents new business development in the state. Tech giant Google has purchased a large tract of land in northern Nevada for a data center that would create hundreds of new jobs, but before Google continues to invest, it has asked for an alternative to NV Energy.
Nevada currently has the second lowest number of energy jobs per capita in the West, but an open market will generate tens of thousands of new jobs—and businesses.
"When has choice not been a good thing? You choose your cell phone provider, your brand and type of milk, and the car that best suits your needs. Nevadans deserve to choose from energy providers that will offer more sustainable options, create in-demand jobs, and open the market for competitive pricing," said O'Connor.
For more information, visit www.resausa.org/nevada-energy-choice-initiative.
ABOUT RESA
The Retail Energy Supply Association is a broad and diverse group of retail energy suppliers who share the common vision that competitive retail energy markets deliver a more efficient, customer-oriented outcome than a regulated utility structure. RESA is devoted to working with all stakeholders to promote vibrant and sustainable competitive retail energy markets for residential, commercial and industrial consumers.
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SOURCE Retail Energy Supply Association