How to make an Intelligent Choice
What does choosing my gas supplier mean?
It's like the telephone industry. Your local phone company provides your basic phone service and maintains the phone lines that go to your house. In the same way, Equitable Gas provides your basic gas service and maintains the gas lines that go to the curb of your home. Just as you choose your long-distance telephone service (AT&T, MCI, Sprint, etc.), you will be able to choose the company that supplies your natural gas.
How does this work?
The natural gas industry is unbundling the services it provides customers. Unbundle means to "take apart" and that's what is happening. Your natural gas service is being separated into three pieces: natural gas (the commodity), transportation and delivery. Up to now, Equitable Gas has purchased natural gas on your behalf from suppliers at a fixed rate approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. With Customer Choice, you can select a supplier yourself and negotiate the price you pay. When you choose another supplier, that company will arrange to transport the natural gas to Equitable Gas' pipelines. Equitable Gas will then deliver the natural gas to your home.
Who will sell natural gas to me?
You'll be able to choose from a list of licensed suppliers approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. These suppliers have to meet certain standards for credit, service and reliability.
Do I have to choose another gas supplier?
No, you can choose to keep Equitable Gas as your gas supplier, and you won't have to fill out any contracts or paperwork to do so.
If I choose another supplier, am I still a customer of Equitable Gas?
YES. Equitable Gas will still read your meter and deliver natural gas to your home or business.
What happens once I've chosen another gas supplier?
The supplier you choose for natural gas will contact Equitable Gas for delivery. You should notice no difference in the quality of your gas or customer service.
How will this affect my gas bill?
You'll still receive a bill from Equitable Gas for delivery and service charges. Equitable Gas will offer your supplier the option of including their charges on our bill, and if your supplier elects to do that, you'll only receive one bill. When you are considering suppliers, ask them if you have the option of just receiving one bill.
Will I need to have new gas lines installed if I choose another gas supplier?
No. Just as you can choose another long-distance telephone company without installing new phone lines, you can purchase natural gas from another supplier without putting in new gas lines. Equitable Gas will deliver the natural gas you buy from another supplier to your home.
Who will maintain the gas lines?
Equitable Gas will continue to maintain the same gas lines to your home or business and provide you with the same safe, reliable service that we do today. We'll still be the local natural gas distribution company (NGDC) as we have been since 1888.
How will the supplier know how much gas to buy for me?
When you sign up with a supplier, Equitable Gas will provide the supplier with a history of your usage. The supplier will project how much gas you will need based on this information and weather conditions.
What if the supplier does not buy enough gas for me?
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission approves the suppliers that offer to supply natural gas to our customers. These suppliers want to keep your business and will be sure to buy enough gas for you. If, however, the supplier experiences a problem, Equitable Gas will still deliver enough gas to meet your needs. The term for this is "stand-by service" and it's included in the cost of delivering natural gas service to your home or business.
Will I save money?
It's really up to you. With Customer Choice, you can choose the supplier who offers you the best deal. For some, that may mean the lowest price while others may choose a supplier who offers different services. Some suppliers may offer a flat rate for a certain amount of gas and others may offer guaranteed savings or package incentives. Be aware, however, that gas prices can fluctuate in a competitive market, so the amount of your total savings might vary over time depending upon your supplier's plan.
Are there any other benefits?
When companies compete for your business, you get competitive prices and more services. Just think of what competition brought about in the telephone industry: special rates, personalized phones, digital fax machines, cellular phones, pagers, voice mail, caller ID, call waiting, Star 69, phone cards, etc. You can expect similar innovations from the gas industry.
Whom will I call when I have a problem?
You should call Equitable Gas if the situation involves an odor of gas, other gas line problems or any other situation associated with the delivery of gas to your home or business. If you have questions about your supplier contract, you should contact your supplier.
How can I learn more about Customer Choice?
To get more information about Customer Choice, visit http://www.puc.state.pa.us/utilitychoice