This post brought to you by IGS Energy. The content and opinions expressed below are that of My Thoughts, Ideas, and Ramblings.

I live in a state where we are allowed to purchasenatural gas and electric supply productsfrom an independent energy supplier. These are considered “deregulated states.” In many places, electric and natural gas consumers don't have a choice as to who supplies their energy. I know a lot you probably have the local utility that serves all the residents within your area. Energy Choice programs allow eligible customers to shop around and choose an electric/natural gas supplier that best suits (aff) their needs. That supplier may be the utility or one of the many suppliers licensed to market in the consumer’s area. However, you have to figure out what works best for you. The first thing you need to understand is the difference between a utility and a supplier. In areas where this energy choice (sometimes referred to as energy competition) is allowed, the utility is responsible for maintaining and repairing the infrastructure of the poles, pipes, and wires that will still deliver electricity and natural gas to consumers. A supplier, on the other hand, is a company that sells the energy that the utility delivers. Suppliers compete in an open marketplace by offering a variety of services and incentives, and consumers chose those that most appeal to them and best meet their energy needs. Suppliers have more options to purchase the energy more efficiently and cost-effectively. In a deregulated market, you can choose an independent supplier (like IGS Energy) to purchase your electricity and natural gas on the open market, deliver it to your utility, and your utility delivers it to your home. You may also choose to remain with the utility whose rate often fluctuates with market conditions. The benefit of an independent supplier like IGS Energy is that you can lock in rates at today’s low rates for the longer team and have the peace of mind that if rates jump around, yours remains steady. Suppliers are also able to offer other options such as longer-term fixed rates, flat bills, or green energy products. You may also live in an area (also like mine) where your city or village negotiates a rate for the entire village/city. One of the companies out there is IGS Energy. It is one of the largest independent suppliers of natural gas and electricity in the country with over 1 million customers. They also offer a wide range of home protection products to help customers protect their budgets against costly repairs of the utility lines that keep their home running smoothly. You can enroll with them:

• directly on IGSenergy.com,
• through our local home energy consultants in person,
• by mail, and
• over the phone with highly trained and personable customer service representatives.

That have lots of product options – Lock in a fixed rate for a time period that works for you, go green with green energy options, flat bill products allow for a single price each month for energy supply, hybrid products allow for customers to lock in when the rate is more volatile and then switch to a variable rate when the market lowers when demand is down, etc. to take advantage of market lows. They also care about the neighborhoods they are in so make sure to check outIGS Companies community support.

Are you able to choose your independent energy supplier? What are your thoughts aboutenergy choice and deregulation?