First-Ever Statewide Endorsement of Retail Supplier, by Delaware, Goes to Direct Energy

In a first-ever statewide endorsement, Direct Energy was formally designated as the “Electric Retail Supplier Exclusively Contracted by the State of Delaware” on June 22, following a months-long competitive process and a vote last month by the Delaware Electricity Affordability Committee.

The committee was  chaired by Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock, with representation from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Office of the Controller General, Office of Management and Budget, Office of the Public Advocate, and the Public Service Commission.

Direct Energy was one of six suppliers vying for the designation. Proposals were evaluated based on the potential benefits derived from a combination of multi-year fixed price per kilowatt-hour offers; value added products and services to help customers better manage their overall electricity bills; other potential consumer benefits; and the fiscal and technical experience of the supplier.

State authorities anticipate that residential customers may save on average $15 per month with Direct Energy’s low fixed electricity prices – set at 10 percent to 18 percent below Delmarva Power’s current price to compare.

“In Delaware, the generation, supply and sale of energy was deregulated more than 16 years ago, but many of our residents have not yet taken advantage of the available energy choices and shopped around for the products and services that fit their family’s needs,” said Secretary of State Jeff Bullock. “We undertook this process to increase our residents’ awareness about the options they have related to their electricity, allowing them to take more control over their energy usage.”

Starting July 1, Direct Energy will offer special discounts, products and services to those in the Delmarva territory, in order to encourage participation.

Additionally, Direct Energy is part of Plenti, a U.S. coalition loyalty and rewards program that comprises companies such as American Express, AT&T, Exxon, Macy’s, Mobil, Nationwide, Rite Aid, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and Hulu. Delaware residents that choose a Direct Energy plan will automatically receive 1,000 Plenti points.

For Delaware residential customers interested in solar power, Direct Energy is offering rooftop systems designed to target savings of up to 20 percent over their current retail price, plus all solar customers will receive 12 months of free electricity for the balance of their energy consumption not supplied by solar.

Delaware businesses can also take advantage of Direct Energy’s exclusive offers that include a low fixed electricity price set at 5 percent below Delmarva’s current price to compare for 24 months, with no enrollment or exit fees, and with an option for a free Nest Learning Thermostat.

“Our goal was to make this as easy and risk free as possible,” said Cullen Hay, general manager, U.S. Energy at Direct Energy. “Starting July 1, to sign-up customers can go to directenergy.com. In addition, there is no early cancellation or ‘switching fee’ for commodity products, so customers are free to switch back to the utility they came from, or shop for another competitive supplier offer without any risk. No matter the electricity supplier, Delmarva Power will still be your electricity deliverer – meaning that if there is a service emergency or a power outage, you still call them for service and they will respond.”