Do independent electric and gas suppliers actually save you money?

In the January/February, 2013 issue of the AARP bulletin on page 36 is an article which states:

"Buyer Beware - AARP is urging the New York State Public Service Commision (PSC) to look into why energy service companies are charging more for electricity and gas than utility providers do.

The independent suppliers often claim to offer lower prices. However, a utility watchdog group, the Pulic Untility Law Project of New York, found that upstate residential cutsomers bying energy from such companies paid on averge $413.00 more for electricity and $235 more for natural gas over the past two years compared with what they would have paid with the tradional utility National Grid."

Editor's note: Here is Brockport I have been approached many times by independent suppliers to buy my gas and electricity from them and I have always declined and stayed with the traditional National Grid and R, G, & E. Having read this article, now I am doubly glad I did.