Mission

The Illinois Competitive Energy Association is an Illinois-based trade association of competitive energy suppliers whose mission is to preserve and enhance customer choice and the competitive electricity and natural gas industries by carrying out the following mission elements in a proactive and effective manner:

• Fostering a regulatory and legislative environment that encourages the development of and continued reliance on customer choice in competitive retail and wholesale energy markets;
  

• Educating policy makers and the public about the benefits to energy customers and the Illinois economy of competition in the electric and natural gas industries;
  

• Being the relied-upon “go to” resource for policy makers, the media, and the public on issues relating to competitive retail energy markets in Illinois;
  

• Advocating positions and undertaking projects that preserve and improve the ability for competitive energy providers to serve Illinois customers;
  

• Defending against threats to competitive energy markets caused by unscrupulous marketing practices.
  

Guiding Principles

Competitive retail and wholesale energy markets offer superior benefits to both consumers and the environment in comparison to government-controlled monopoly regulation.  Specifically, the Illinois Competitive Energy Association believes that:

• Competitive energy markets allow consumers to shop among suppliers for innovative products, services, and rate plans that best meet their needs;
  

• Competitive energy markets are the best way to ensure that all consumers receive reliable energy at the lowest possible costs; and,
  

• Competitive energy markets are the best means to address climate change, demand response opportunities, conservation, and the development of advanced and renewable energy products.
  

Value Proposition

Advantages of Association membership include the following benefits:

• The benefit of a respected and influential voice and effective advocate for competitive energy markets before regulators, legislators, policy makers, thought leaders, the media, and the public.
  

• An opportunity to elevate the visibility of competitive suppliers and competitive market issues among regulators, legislators, policy makers, and stakeholders.
  

• A greater ability to participate in and help shape regulatory, legislative, and public advocacy projects affecting Illinois’ continuously evolving competitive markets.
  

• The services of a full-time Chief Executive Officer with extensive regulatory and legislative experience and outside Legal Counsel services on behalf of pro-competitive market participants, both dedicated to pursuing the Association’s mission and principles.
  

• The resources to monitor and represent the Association in relevant Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) filings and proceedings, Electric and Natural Gas Policy meetings, Office of Retail Market Development activities, and other matters.