Commerce Energy CEO Steven Boss Lauds Open Letter on Energy Competition

Chief Executive Officer Steven S. Boss today said Commerce Energy Group, Inc. (Amex: EGR) is standing behind 35 former state commissioners from various states who have signed an open letter to policymakers supporting the value energy competition brings to consumers. Yesterday, it was reported in industry periodicals that the letter, addressed to state utility regulators and other policymakers, is also being sent to members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and related federal employees. Higher fuel prices and tighter environmental standards have pushed energy prices up, and the former commissioners said consumers need all the tools they can get to control costs. Boss said, "The letter offers strong support for the same advocacy positions taken by Commerce Energy.” The former commissioners emphasized that educated and empowered consumers will make decisions in their own best interest and force the market to respond. They have taken this stand because they believe competition is the best and most effective market model. Boss said, "Consumers are demanding the chance to control their energy costs, as well as the opportunity to support innovative tools that will help them save energy, benefiting both the environment and their pocketbooks. We believe competitive markets will drive these benefits, creating vibrant retail markets such as Texas has established. We encourage policymakers to remain committed to that ultimate goal. "Competition is needed to drive healthy energy markets,” said Boss. "Historically, a utility has no real economic incentive to ensure that innovative options work. As a monopoly, it already has 100% of the market, and customers are forced to accept one of the options offered, even if it’s not exactly what they want,” said Boss. "Companies such as Commerce Energy are driven to be innovative to stay in business. And this benefits consumers by giving them more choices. "We applaud the former state commissioners for their strong stand and for pointing out the benefits that competition and choice will bring to consumers,” said Boss. About Commerce Energy Group, Inc. Commerce Energy Group, Inc. is a leading independent U.S. electricity and natural gas marketing company, operating through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Commerce Energy, Inc. and Skipping Stone Inc. Commerce is publicly traded on the American Stock Exchange (Amex) under the symbol: EGR. Commerce Energy, Inc. is licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and by state regulatory agencies as an unregulated retail marketer of natural gas and electricity to homeowners, commercial and industrial consumers and institutional customers. Headquartered in Orange County, California, the company also has an office in Dallas, Texas, as well as several area offices located around the U.S. For a decade, customers have relied on Commerce to deliver competitive pricing, innovative product offerings and personalized customer care in addition to quality gas and electric services. For more information, visit www.CommerceEnergy.com.