Energy Providers

Residents and businesses in deregulated gas or electricity markets can choose their energy provider. Unlike regulated energy markets, where you have to purchase energy from your local utility, deregulated markets encourage competition and offer multiple options. 

By using the Choose Energy marketplace, you can compare energy plans available in your area. It’s as easy as entering your ZIP code and filtering the search based on your needs, such as home size and term length. There’s no need to wait to sign up, either; you can sign up for the best energy companies on our free marketplace. 

Check if you live or work in one of the 18 states or territories that have electricity and natural gas deregulation. Read on to learn more about which providers serve your area.

States with a deregulated electricity market

• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• New Hampshire
• Texas
• Washington, D.C.

States with a deregulated natural gas market

• Georgia
• Michigan

States with a deregulated electricity and natural gas market

• California
• Illinois
• Maryland
• New Jersey
• New York
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania

The Choose Energy marketplace directs customers to electricity, natural gas, green energy, and solar options. Before comparing plans, you should know the difference between energy providers and utility companies.

• Energy providers: Also called suppliers, retail energy providers (REPs), or energy service companies (ESCOs). You may find various terms to describe an energy supplier depending on your location. Providers sell you the energy that powers your home or business. In deregulated areas, providers compete for business by buying wholesale energy and offering customers lower rates than local utilities.
• Utility companies: Utilities deliver electricity to your home or business and are responsible for maintaining power lines and infrastructure. Unlike your provider, you can’t choose your utility. Instead, your utility company is determined by where you live. Have an outage or other power emergency? Contact your utility — not your supplier.

For customers shopping in Texas, check out our guide to the best Texas electricity providers.

Where you live determines the available providers and plans. Electric rates vary by location and can fluctuate daily. Enter your ZIP code to explore the electric companies and current energy rates near you. The following are some of the top electric and natural gas companies offering residential or business energy in deregulated areas.