Electric Competition for Michigan NOW!

www.competition4mi.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 21, 2011

Contact:

Maureen McNulty Saxton 517-899-5513; info@competition4mi.com

National Study Shows States with Competition Drive Efficiency and Innovative Products for Customers
LANSING, MI As the three-week countdown now begins for Congress and President Obama to finalize a budget that will fund the remainder of the fiscal year, with some in Washington proposing deep cuts to energy innovation investment as a means to that end, a recently released study shows that states with competitive electricity markets drive innovation by rewarding new ways of delivering power and encouraging energy companies to develop services that quickly adapt to meet customer needs. This is according to decade-long research released by KEMA, a leading global energy consulting, testing and certification firm. Electric Competition for Michigan NOW! lauded the report as further evidence of the major benefits that state businesses and residents receive when they have a choice among their electricity providers. Competitive energy companies clearly have an incentive to focus on efficient operations and innovation, said coalition member Mark Butler, vice president of finance and administration, Campbell Grinder Company, a Michigan machine manufacturer since 1969. When it comes to driving innovation and efficiency, there is no substitute for competition. We participate in markets for virtually all goods and services; this comprehensive research further proves that electricity competition is the path forward for Michigan. The evidence is overwhelming: Michigan cannot achieve advancements in innovation in the electricity sector by turning its back on competition and continuing to embrace monopoly utilities. The report, commissioned by the COMPETE Coalition and entitled Innovation in Competitive Electricity Markets was well received nationally as well. These findings confirm that competitive markets encourage innovation along with significant economic and environmental benefits new entry by innovative resources, energy efficiency and conservation including demand resources, competitive prices and clean energy development, said William Massey of COMPETE, a national coalition of more than 540 electricity stakeholders who support well-structured competitive electricity markets for the benefit of consumers. Massey is a former Federal Energy Regulatory Commissioner, where he served over 10 years. Competitive markets provide a level playing field and fair rules that welcome innovation. And what we are seeing is only the beginning of the innovative resources that competitive markets will deliver into the future.

Electric Competition for Michigan NOW! info@competition4mi.com 517.515.1583

Electric Competition for Michigan NOW!

www.competition4mi.com Additionally, electricity suppliers were able to speak firsthand to many attractive services that they can offer in states with competitive markets. Beacon Power began commercial operation in January of the first flywheel energy storage facility to provide frequency regulation service on the U.S. electricity grid, said Gene Hunt, Director of Corporate Communications for Beacon. Its no coincidence that our facility is located in New York, a competitive market. By providing clear market tariffs for different technology solutions, competitive electricity markets level the playing field and drive innovation. Competitive markets have paved the way for Viriditys work with the nations sixth-largest rail system, SEPTA, in Philadelphia, said Audrey Zibelman, president and CEO of Viridity. We are installing an advanced battery storage system to recapture and deploy power from trains regenerative braking. We are excited to support the creation of a scalable model for energy savings and power optimization that may be deployed nationally. Electric Competition for Michigan NOW! invites Michigan businesses and individuals to contact Governor Snyder and their local state legislator, urging them to increase competition in the electricity industry in Michigan. Competition and customer choice keeps downward pressure on electricity rates, leads to greater innovation and technological advancements, and if legislation is enacted that lifts or raises the cap on retail competition, it will allow Michigan to be a leader in providing sensible and competitive energy solutions, said David Fein, Vice President of Energy Policy at Constellation Energy, the largest alternative electric supplier in Michigan. Electric competition contributes to Michigans economic growth, promotes conservation and energy efficiency, facilitates renewable energy development, and provides the best route toward energy independence. Electric Competition for Michigan NOW! (www.competition4mi.com) is a coalition of customers, suppliers, and trade associations whose mission is to promote the right for Michigan consumers to have real energy choices when selecting their electricity provider. The Coalition is opposed to the current monopoly system in Michigans electricity market, which gives 90 percent of the market to DTE (Detroit Edison) and Consumers Energy, allowing just 10 percent of Michigans electricity consumers to have a choice when selecting an electricity supplier. The 10 percent cap was met within the first year, by 2009, and there is currently a waiting list nearly 4,000 customers that have submitted paperwork to shop for competitive electricity. Electric Competition for Michigan NOW! supports eliminating, or at minimum increasing, the cap on electric competition. MEDIA CONTACTS:

Mark Butler, VP of Finance and Administration, Campbell Grinder Company: 231.798.6464; mbutler@campbellgrinder.com David Fein, VP of Energy Policy, Constellation Energy: 312-704-8499; david.fein@constellation.com
Electric Competition for Michigan NOW! info@competition4mi.com 517.515.1583