Deregulated Energy

Deregulated energy gives consumers the right to choose their own electricity and natural gas supplier — breaking the monopoly hold of local utilities and introducing real competition. In deregulated states, your local utility still delivers energy and handles outages, but who you buy that energy from is entirely your choice. At Utility Search Marketplace, we help you compare suppliers, find the best available rate, and switch — all in minutes.

Which states let you choose your electricity provider?

As of 2026, 13 states plus Washington, D.C. have residential electricity choice, meaning you can shop competing suppliers for your energy rate while your local utility still delivers the power. Texas has the most competitive market, followed by Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. Here are the deregulated-energy states and the utility that delivers power in each.

Choose Your State

Select your state below to see the specific energy suppliers, internet providers, and home services available at your address:

• 🤠 Texas — Most competitive energy market in the US. 100+ REPs on the ERCOT grid.
• 🏙️ Ohio — Fully deregulated for electricity and natural gas. AEP Ohio, FirstEnergy, Duke Energy territories.
• 🔔 Pennsylvania — Full deregulation under PECO, PPL, West Penn Power, Met-Ed, and Penelec.
• 🏙️ Illinois — ComEd (Chicago) and Ameren Illinois — electricity and gas fully shoppable.
• 🗽 New York — Con Edison, National Grid, NYSEG, and RG&E territories. High rates = high savings.
• 🌊 New Jersey — Highest rates in the continental US. PSE&G, JCP&L, and Atlantic City Electric territories.
• 🌿 Connecticut — Eversource and United Illuminating. Among the highest rates in the US.
• 🦀 Maryland — BGE, Pepco, Delmarva Power, and Potomac Edison. DC suburb market with strong ISP competition.
• 🦞 Massachusetts — Eversource and National Grid. High New England rates with solid Boston ISP competition.
• 🚗 Michigan — Natural gas deregulation through Consumers Energy and DTE. Shop your gas supplier.
• 🍑 Georgia — Natural gas deregulation through Atlanta Gas Light. AT&T Fiber strong in Atlanta.
• 🏔️ New Hampshire — Eversource and Unitil territories. High New England rates with rural Starlink options.

What is deregulated energy?

In a regulated energy market, your local utility is the only company allowed to sell you electricity or gas. In a deregulated market, multiple licensed suppliers compete for your business — and you get to choose. Think of it like switching car insurance or choosing a wireless carrier: the infrastructure (wires, pipes) stays the same, but who charges you for the energy flowing through them is open to competition. For national market data, see the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The United States has 15 states with meaningful electricity or natural gas deregulation. In most of these states, both electricity and gas are shoppable. Together, these markets represent some of the best opportunities for household savings in the country.

How Switching Works

1. Find your utility and current rate — Check your bill to identify your delivery utility and what you’re currently paying per kWh or therm.
2. Compare suppliers at your address — Use Utility Search Marketplace to see licensed supplier offers at your zip code.
3. Choose a fixed-rate plan — Lock in a rate below your utility’s default for 6–24 months.
4. Enroll in minutes — Online enrollment takes under 10 minutes. You’ll need your utility account number.
5. No service interruption — Your utility continues delivering energy. Only the supply charge on your bill changes.

When does your default electricity rate reset?

If you have never picked a supplier, you are on your utility’s default rate, and that rate changes on a regulator-set calendar, not when your bill says so. The best time to compare offers is four to six weeks before your utility’s reset date, so you can lock a fixed rate ahead of a jump.

Sources: Pennsylvania PUC, Plug In Illinois, NJ BPU, PUCO. Updated October 1, 2026.

In Pennsylvania, see our PA Price to Compare guide for the current rate by utility and what the December 1 reset means for your bill.

Beyond Energy: Bundle and Save More

At Utility Search Marketplace, we help you compare more than just electricity. In every deregulated energy market, you can also shop:

• 🌐 Internet providers — Compare fiber, cable, and 5G home internet options at your address
• 🔐 Home security — Vivint, ADT, Ring, SimpliSafe, and more
• 🏠 Home warranty — Choice Home Warranty, American Home Shield, and others
• 🛡️ Home insurance — Compare rates from multiple carriers

The average household that actively shops and optimizes all four services saves $500–$1,000+ per year compared to accepting default rates across the board.

👉 Start comparing at Utility Search Marketplace — enter your zip code to see what’s available at your address

The other 37 states are regulated — but your internet is still a choice

In regulated states, one utility sets the electricity rate and there is no supplier to shop. But no matter where you live, you can still compare high-speed internet providers and home security at your address — so you never overpay on the essentials.

Frequently asked questions

Keep going

• Deregulated energy states map (full state-by-state guide)
• Compare high-speed internet providers
• Why is my energy bill so high?
• Compare home security systems
• Fiber vs. cable vs. 5G home internet
• More utility guides on our blog