Critical Information For NYSEG Customers About the “Voice Your Choice?Campaign and Alternative Electric Service Companies

Beginning in October 2002, NYSEG customers will start receiving orange “Voice Your Choice enrollment kits?asking them to make a choice by December 31, 2001 to switch to a competitive supplier for their electric supply, or stay with NYSEG for all service. Those who do not switch to another supplier are asked to make a choice between fixed supply and transition charges from NYSEG and variable supply and transition charges from NYSEG.

Do I have to Switch by noon December 31, 2002?

No, if you do not "voice your choice" you will remain with NYSEG and will receive the fixed price option.  Your electricity service will not be interrupted. You can switch to an alternative supplier any time during the two year period, January 1, 2003 - December 31, 2004, but you cannot switch to the NYSEG variable price option after December 31, 2002.

PSC Reminds NYSEG Customers of Deadline for Choosing Electricity Supplier - 12-19-02

Offers of Alternative ESCO Suppliers To Residential Customers

The NSYEG “Voice Your Choice enrollment kit?lists four Competitive Suppliers that it states have electricity supply offers for NYSEG residential customers:

1. Agway is offering electricity in NYSEG territory as of 12/04/02. The rate is variable, starting at 4.9¢ per kwh.

2. ECONnergy initially offered a variable price for one year with a maximum cap of 4.5¢ (plus applicable taxes).  As of 12/3/02 ECONnergy is not accepting more residential customers.

3. Mirabito Gas & Electric offers a varying price for residential service which they state will be the same as the NYSEG variable rate. The company also has fixed rates depending on where you reside. As of December 4th, in Cental NY it is 5.15¢ per kwh; in the Eastern NY it is 5.82¢ per kwh, and in Western NY it is 4.96¢. They state that customers will get the 4¢ per kwh switching credit with the fluctuating rate which saves customers approximately $2 monthly. 

4. NYSEG Solutions is presently offering a variable rate for residential service, which it plans to discontinue effective January 01, 2003.  Beginning January 01, 2003 NYSEG Solutions will offer a fixed rate which it claims will be lower than NYSEG’s fixed electric supply price. NYSEG Solutions gives customers half of the 4¢ per kwh switching credit for a 2¢ savings per kwh on the NYSEG bill. The company estimates that total savings on the portion of the bill for electric supply will be 15%.

PULP's Comparison of NYSEG & ESCO Rates- 11-02 -
Actual terms and conditions are contained in ESCO contracts and may vary from this summary.

Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Comparison of ESCO Rates - 11-19-02

Electricity Supply Choices for NYSEG Residential Customers - NY Public Service Commission - 11-19-02

AARP’s Comparison of ESCO and HEFPA service

Questions to Ask ESCOs

Niagara Mohawk's Recommendation to Consult a Lawyer Before Signing Any Legal Document From An ESCO 

Chart Summarizing Rules for Switching Suppliers - 10-22-02

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

Electricity supply marketers must meet the “eligibility?criteria set by the State Public Service Commission, including the filing of their standard customer contract or “disclosure statement?

"Disclosure Statements" describe the terms and conditions of service but do not show the price or the actual terms of the ESCO contract.  PULP requested the ESCO contracts from the PSC under the Freedom of Information Law. Apparently all the contracts of the ESCOs have not been filed with or approved by the PSC.  PULP received "Disclosure Statements" from the four suppliers expected to participate which have been analyzed for important differences in application requirements, security deposits, additional fees, such as early termination fees and late fees, customer cancellation, and termination by the electricity supplier.  

NYSEG Solutions Disclosure Statement
ECONnergy DIsclosure Statement
Mirabito Disclosure Statement
Agway Energy Services Disclosure Statement

COMPLAINTS/DISPUTES

The ESCO is allowed to establish its own complaint handling/dispute procedures. You may contact the PSC to register a complaint about an ESCO, but the PSC will not resolve those complaints. The PSC will resolve NYSEG complaints and disputes, but you must resolve complaints about ESCOs using the procedures in your contract which may involve court action or mandatory arbitration for which you may be required to pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most Recent Articles

Utility Choice Isn't Working Out for Consumers - Buffalo News - 12-22-02

NYSEG Customers Can Still Choose Supplier - Schenectady Gazette - 12-21-02

ELECTRICITY DEREGULATION - Alternatives dwindle for NYSEG power customers - 12-19-02

Countdown to Electricity Choice - Meetings Help NYSEG Customers Decide. -  Elmira Star Gazette - 12-15-02

Energy Officials Try to Clarify Public's Options - Press & Sun-Bulletin - 12-09-02

Competition Fails to Spark - 12-08-02

Variable-Rate Choice Comes Laced With A Risk - Elmira Star Gazette - 12-08-02

Case for Staying/Switching Power Sources - NYSEG Says That It’s Best to Look Before You Hook Up - Elmira Star Gazette - 12-08-02

A Time to Choose - Elmira Star Gazette - 12-08-02

Electricity Customers Lose Choices - Gannett News Services - 12-07-02

Pending Legislation

The State Legislature has passed a bill, awaiting signature by the Governor, which would make the Home Energy Fair Practices Act applicable to residential service from ESCOs. See History of HEFPA and Energy Consumer Protection Act of 2002.

Ask PULP if you have any questions about the above information.  Contact PULP at info@pulp.tc.