I wanted to pass along to you information from the MEP Coalition for Fair Competition on an important issue for all Florida electrical contractors. I hope you find it has value.
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I wanted to pass along to you information from the MEP Coalition for Fair Competition on an important issue for all Florida electrical contractors. I hope you find it has value.
Across the United States, many utility monopolies have tried to use their infrastructure and deep pockets to enter the electrical market and compete with local contractors. Most states have acted quickly to regulate or prohibit the use of ratepayer funded utility resources to stop subsidization, joint marketing, sharing of customer data and more because it creates a wildly unfair competitive landscape where local electrical contractors cannot possibly compete. Florida has yet to deal with this issue and Florida Power & Light is crossing the line with the purchase of a contractor and the creation of FPL Home. This utility subsidiary is:
- Accessing Utility Customer Data
- Marketing Services Through the Utility Billing System
- Offering Below Rate and Sometimes Free Deals to Attract New Customers
- Billing Electrical Contracting Services On Utility Bills
- Using Utility Recruiters, Trucks, Buildings and Infrastructure
- And much more.
A group called the MEP Coalition is fighting back. They are air conditioning, plumbing and electrical contractors from across Florida who believe this is a long term threat to their jobs and businesses and that FPL is just the first to try it. If FPL is allowed to do it, it will spread across the state to all of the other utilities. The coalition is pushing legislation that would prohibit utilities from using their resources to subsidize entry into these industries. If they want to compete, they are free to do that just like everyone else but they need to do it without all of the resources, marketing and muscle of a ratepayer funded monopoly utility.
It is important that everyone rally and join the fight. The utilities have vast resources and political power. The primary weapon that the MEP Coalition has is its statewide coalition. They have been holding meetings around the state, talking to the media and meeting with legislators to push for regulation and legislation that will ensure a level competitive playing field. All electrical contractors should stand with the MEP Coalition and fight this threat before it is too late.
You can join the coalition here and learn more on their website MEPCOALITION.ORG.
This information was brought to our attention by the MEP Coalition for Fair Competition. For additional information, you can email them directly here.
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