Energy deregulation in states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Maine, California, Texas, and Michigan, opened up the energy market to alternative energy companies and smaller retail energy companies.  Prior to deregulation, the monopoly that larger energy corporations held on various regions of the country made launching and sustaining a small energy business virtually impossible.  Post-deregulation, the playing field altered considerably, and new companies began to appear almost immediately.

Smaller energy companies are able to offer flexible plans, simpler billing structures, and because many of them are neutral entities, they are able to find the best price and service for their customers.  It is a far more specialized and personalized way of approaching the energy provider/customer relationships and it is yielding positive results.