Until the last decade, most Americans never spent much time thinking about where their electricity and natural gas came from or how it was created or obtained. Today, much of the country has been exposed to the deregulation of the natural gas industry, and several states have deregulated the electric industry, as well.

For many consumers and business people, the idea of purchasing gas and electricity from someone other that their local utilities was confusing and uncomfortable. There are many questions about how the process works and what the benefits are to the end users.

We hope the material in our online energy guide helps to explain the process of utility deregulation and answers many of the questions consumers and business people may have.