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Deregulation

Here in New England, and across the country, we are witnessing the realignment of the electric utilities industry. The rules under which this industry has been governed for the past century have been changed to enable open competition. Consumers can choose their own electric power supplier rather than having to use the local utility.

 

How does a competitive market work? Power generation companies that compete to serve consumers, wherever they are located, produce electricity. No company has exclusive rights to any specific area.

 

Existing utilities have had to split into two parts, separating their generating facilities from their power distribution systems. The generating facilities have to compete in an unregulated market with other generating companies. The power distribution segment remains regulated and largely unchanged. To avoid the duplication of wires, poles, transformers, etc. generating companies pay an access fee to the regulated utilities for the right to distribute power over existing lines.

 

Regulated utilities no longer sell electric power and deliver the same customer services they once provided. Instead, a new entrant into the marketplace, the "power marketer", handles these responsibilities. The power marketer may be affiliated with a utility provider or carry an entirely new name. Power marketers make the arrangements to deliver power to you from near or distant generating plants and some provide additional services.

 

NEMSI is an independent integrated energy services provider. What does that mean? We maintain all of our traditional design, build, and service capabilities and also offer new services, such as support in choosing or providing an energy source, arranging financing, and assisting in outsourcing decision-making. We offer support on virtually all energy-related issues.

 

Deregulation of the power industry has caused the creation of numerous integrated energy service providers. Of these firms, independent providers offer the most comprehensive and unbiased range of services. Utilities and equipment manufacturers have both begun to position themselves as integrated energy service providers, but both types of companies still derive the majority of their income from either energy or product sales. Independent providers do not carry this in their recommendation.

 

Our customers value our independent, objective approach. The energy strategy we create for each customer is entirely focused on his or her needs and potential benefits. It does not reflect a desire to use one type of equipment or source of energy over another. This strategy addresses virtually all technical and business issues that effect the bottom line cost.

 

Our role is to look for the most competitive and comprehensive answers. It used to be that customers had no choice. Now, they have more choices than they think. Some are finding that the growing number of choices is overwhelming. Our expertise is to work with building owners and facilities managers to help them analyze their choices and make the best informed decisions, then we help them to continually evaluate the situation and adapt as it makes sense.