Building owners and managers would also benefit from some uniformity of rules. Fifty states with fifty different sets of regulations will not serve our industry's interests - nor the interests of the businesses who are our members' tenants. The previously regulated utilities in Pennsylvania, for example, now face competition for their customers from a multitude of suppliers, including utilities in neighboring states that are not open to competition. While deregulated states see their incumbent utilities' customer base decreasing, regulated utilities in regulated states still maintain their captive customers, but can recruit new customers in Pennsylvania or other deregulated states. Of greatest importance, BOMA International seeks passage of a federal bill that specifically provides all end users the ability to aggregate.
Aggregation can lower rates by increasing negotiating leverage.
Local BOMA associations across the country are already forming buying groups to assist members in aggregating their loads with others. The early results are promising. Call to Action Despite the favorable indications that the time is ripe for deregulation legislation, none of this will come about if members of Congress do not continue to hear from constituents. Commercial real estate must weigh in. Call, write, or e-mail them now.