Texas PUC Chairman Barry Smitherman Keynotes Stream Energy Convention

Dallas, TX, March 05, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Public Utility Commission of Texas Chairman Barry Smitherman congratulated the audience of Stream Energy’s fifth annual Ignition Conference at the Dallas Convention Center, February 27th, noting that the attendees benefit Texas electric customers through their active role in the deregulated marketplace.

Smitherman credited deregulation with helping keep electric prices low for Texans, noting that he was speaking for himself and not his fellow members of the PUC. “Deregulation has opened the market for new companies and new ideas,” he stated. Smitherman personally paid his own expenses to be at the convention, not relying on either Stream Energy or the state of Texas to pay his travel costs.

Dallas-based Stream Energy received its Texas retail electric provider license in 2005, and now, with its marketing arm, Ignite, counts eight percent of the Texas market as its customers, who have been able to make an electric choice because of the deregulated energy environment.

In his speech to the more than 6,800 associates at the Stream Energy gathering, Smitherman hailed Texas’ efforts to increase wind and other renewable energy sources, while decreasing carbon emissions. “We’re out-performing California for green energy,” he said, adding that currently Texas has 9,000 megawatts of installed wind energy, more than any other state.

“We were honored to host Mr. Smitherman at our annual gathering,” said Stream Energy Chairman Rob Snyder. “Our company and its associates are on the front lines of helping customers understand the deregulated marketplace. Mr. Smitherman provided our associates a comprehensive report on the status of the Texas energy industry from his unique perspective as the Chairman of the PUC,” he added.

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