Choosing
A Natural Gas Supplier
National
Fuel would like to remind its customers that persons
coming to their home on behalf of the Utility
carry photo identification.
- National
Fuel’s employees DO have need to visit
customers’ homes for operational purposes
including meter reading, construction work and
in the case of an emergency. These persons will
carry an identification card and will produce
that identification without resistance if asked
for it.
- National
Fuel employees do NOT visit customers’
homes to discuss account matters, to view a
customer’s gas bill or to ask them to
sign any sort of agreement.
Click
here to
learn more.
During the last two
decades, changing customer expectations, new technology,
emerging markets and environmental concerns have
reshaped the operations and services of natural
gas utilities as well as the regulations affecting
them. Increased competition has resulted in more
choices and opportunities for our customers.
National
Fuel has been a consistent advocate of increased
competition in our industry and we support the
action taken by the New York State Public Service
Commission (PSC) that created the opportunity
for all customers to now purchase gas from a non-utility
supplier. Competition among many gas suppliers
for the same customer base may result in cost
savings or other service options being offered
that consumers may view as being desirable. It
is also believed that consumers value choice and
view these changes as being beneficial, sometimes
without regard to the economic result. So, we’d
like to help you to be better prepared to address
these changes and be better informed to make choices
as they develop. The following summarizes the
main gas supply options available to National
Fuel’s New York customers and answers some
frequently asked questions. A list of questions
to ask before choosing a natural gas supplier
is also available by clicking here.
Bundled
Sales Service
This
is the traditional style of service from National
Fuel. The cost of the gas and the cost of transporting
it to you are combined into one retail price.
There are several different rates and your rate
would depend on the volume of gas you consume
annually as well as how you use the gas, since
a few special rates are available for such purposes
as cogeneration, natural gas vehicles and gas
air conditioning.
Unbundled
Transportation Service
This
option lets you separate the cost of the gas itself
(sales service) from the cost of delivering the
gas to you (transportation service). Under this
scenario, you will be able to choose from whom
you would like to purchase your gas, rather than
purchasing it from National Fuel.
Who
is eligible?
Any
National Fuel customer may choose the transportation
option.
What
is a non-utility supplier?
A
non-utility supplier buys the natural gas and
sells it to you, including arrangement for its
delivery through National Fuel’s system.
Non-utility suppliers have been selling gas to
our larger, commercial and industrial customers
since 1983. All non-utility gas suppliers must
receive approval from the PSC and National Fuel
prior to working on our system to sell gas to
customers. For a list of authorized marketers,
please click here.
What
is National Fuel’s role if I purchase gas
through a non-utility supplier?
National
Fuel will continue delivering gas to your home
or business, meter reading, and ensuring the safety
of our underground pipeline system.
If there is ever a natural gas emergency or any
safety problems, please call National Fuel’s
24-hour emergency number immediately at 1-800-444-3130.
How
can I save money by buying gas from someone other
than National Fuel?
In
order to understand how savings may be achieved,
it is important to understand the two main components
of the gas bill under the bundled service arrangement.
The cost of gas represents about half of the customer’s
bill and is an item upon which neither National
Fuel, nor any other utility earns any profit.
National Fuel always follows a least cost gas
purchasing policy and ensures a reliable and uninterrupted
supply of gas to its customers.
The
cost of service reflects the cost of delivering
gas supplies and the expense for maintenance and
upgrade of the pipeline delivery system. Whether
National Fuel or an alternative supplier provides
gas supplies, customers will still incur National
Fuel’s delivery fee, a rate that is set
through the established regulatory process.
Under
the existing ‘unbundled’ framework,
customers can potentially save on the gas cost
portion of their bill. Savings on this half of
the gas bill could be realized in two primary
ways - If an alternative gas supplier can purchase
gas at a lower wellhead price than National Fuel
or through the avoidance of certain taxes.
Is
there any information about non-utility suppliers?
Additional
information about the changes in the utility industry
can be obtained from the PSC. Customers may call
them at 1-888-ASKPSC-1 or refer to their web
site.
How
will I be billed if I choose a non-utility supplier?
You
will receive a final bill from National Fuel to
clear your account. After that, your non-utility
supplier will bill you.
If
I continue to purchase gas from National Fuel,
will anything change in delivery or service?
No.
The delivery of gas and services currently offered
by National Fuel will remain the same.
What
if I have a question or complaint about my bill?
You
should first contact your non-utility supplier.
All non-utility suppliers will have a process
in place to address complaints. If you are not
satisfied with the outcome, you may consider assistance
through available community dispute resolution
services or other legal processes. You may also
call the Public Service Commission at 1-800-342-3377.
Can
a non-utility supplier disconnect my service?
Only
National Fuel has authority to physically disconnect
your service. If the contract between you and
your non-utility supplier is dissolved for any
reason, the non-utility supplier may suspend its
service upon fifteen days notice. Either you or
the non-utility supplier should notify National
Fuel immediately. At the end of the fifteen day
notice period, you will become our customer again
and will be billed by National Fuel directly for
your gas supplies.
Who
Can I Call For More Information?
You
may get additional information by writing to the
Public Service Commission at the following address:
New York State Public Service Commission, Consumer
Services Division, 3 Empire State Plaza, Albany,
NY 12223; or by accessing the PSC’s
Website or by calling its toll-free information
number at 1-888-ASKPSC-1
Authorized
Gas Suppliers
Please
click on one of the links below to find a listing
of authorized suppliers by category:
New York
-Suppliers currently accepting customers
-Suppliers
That Have Informed Us That They Are NOT currently
accepting customers
Pennsylvania
-Licensed
Natural Gas Suppliers
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