The Post-Gazette tackles a complicated topic with "Family Feud Illustrates Complexity of Electric Deregulation" of July 4 and deserves applause for its effort to explain the competitive electricity market to consumers.

But the relationship between Penn Power and competitive power suppliers, framed in the article, should be put in better context.

Penn Power is not an energy generator or power supplier. Penn Power acts only as an intermediary to deliver power to customers. In Pennsylvania's competitive market, Penn Power is a delivery company bringing competitive electricity supplies over its distribution lines to customers. Penn Power makes no money from electricity generation and is indifferent to who provides it, as long as customers' needs are met.

Penn Power solicits electricity supplies from competitive providers under a state-mandated process. This default electricity supply comes from four different competitive power suppliers selected through a competitive auction process. Electricity consumers who do not choose to purchase from a competitive retail power provider receive this default service from Penn Power.

Meanwhile, competitive options abound for all consumers who elect to choose an alternative power provider. There are 13 retail power providers licensed by the state to supply customers in Penn Power's footprint, and about half of those suppliers are currently providing competitively priced electricity to residential, commercial and industrial customers.

Penn Power's customers aren't passed back and forth among subsidiaries of one company. Rather, they benefit from competition among multiple retail suppliers -- whether they choose their own supplier or stay with Penn Power's default service.

JOEL MALINA
Executive Director
COMPETE Coalition
Washington, D.C.

I am writing in response to "State Grants to Boost Solar Energy Projects," July 8. It's wonderful that the state is awarding these project grants, bringing jobs and clean energy to Allegheny and Beaver counties.

Looking at the bigger picture, these grants were distributed across 16 counties in Pennsylvania, bringing visibility and accessibility to solar powered energy to places all over the state. Hopefully, this will generate excitement and eagerness for further solar projects in the future.

These projects are a monumental step for Pennsylvania's electricity generation, but it's important to remember that it is still just a step, not a final destination, for a green energy future.

TIM LUO
Clean Energy Campaign Coordinator
PennEnvironment

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