Comcast and NRG Energy launch an energy co-op in Pennsylvania

Early last month, Greentech Media reported that NRG Energy, which owns retail electric supplier Energy Plus, would team up with Comcast in Pennsylvania to offer an electric service called Energy Rewards. Both companies are looking for new opportunities as revenue from their traditional businesses is eroding. The pilot for that partnership is now live in Duquesne Light’s service territory, which covers parts of Allegheny County around Pittsburgh and most of Beaver County, PA, serving about 580,000 people.

Comcast has partnered with a division of NRG Energy to launch an electricity supplying initiative known asEnergy Rewards. The very limited trial in portions of Allegheny County and Beaver County in Pennsylvania offers entertainment industry-related benefits for customers of the new effort, including “extended freeviews” of premium channels, and prepaid Visa cards. The new effort takes advantage of restructuring of energy markets, allowing consumers to select who provides power. Existing utilities are still responsible for line maintenance, meter reading, and emergency response. Other perks available for subscribers are movie ticket discounts from Fandandgo, access to movie screenings, contents, and time-related “milestone” rewards which have yet to be disclosed.