Questions and Answers
What is the Customer Choice Program?
As a result of energy deregulation and Washington Gas's advocacy
for a competitive market, customers have the choice to buy their gas from Washington
Gas - the regulated utility - or from energy supply companies selling natural
gas in the competitive marketplace.
Washington Gas is required to pass directly through to customers
its costs for the natural gas that they use. Energy supply companies, also referred
to as retail or competitive energy suppliers, compete against one another for
business, and some offer price incentives that may result in cost savings to
customers.
Whether customers choose to purchase gas from Washington Gas
or a retail energy supply company, Washington Gas, as the local natural gas
utility, will continue to deliver the natural gas to customers' homes and businesses,
read meters and respond around-the-clock to any natural gas emergency.
Who can participate in the Customer Choice Program?
All customers in the District of Columbia are eligible to participate.
When can I sign up for the program?
Enrollment is open every month throughout the year.
How do I participate?
A list of licensed, participating energy supply companies is provided below.
If you are considering participating in customer choice, you
may want to contact several suppliers, or, in some instances, suppliers already
may have contacted you with information -- using advertising, direct mail, personal
contact, or other customary means to promote their services.
As with other important consumer purchases, make sure to shop
around and compare prices and services. Talk with energy suppliers about their
qualifications, price offers and fees, contract requirements, and billing procedures.
Click here for a list of Suggested Questions to Ask Potential Energy Suppliers before Enrolling.
If you decide to buy your natural gas from one of the suppliers
listed below, you will be asked to sign a consent form authorizing the supplier
to enroll you in the Customer Choice Program.
Do retail energy supply companies and their sales representatives
work for Washington Gas, the utility?
No. Retail energy suppliers are in business to compete
against one another to sell you natural gas and perhaps other energy products
and services. Washington Gas is the regulated utility and is responsible for
the following:
- Providing the gas supply or commodity to any customer who does not choose
to buy from a retail energy supplier.
- Providing safe and reliable delivery of natural gas to all of its customers
and responding around-the-clock to any natural gas emergency.
- Reading customers' meters and providing billing services.
What will the energy supply company charge me?
Remember that energy supply companies are competing against one
another for your business so it is likely that their prices and services will
differ. Be sure to ask which charges are included in the price that a supplier
quotes and ask about any additional fees or charges not included.
View our Suggested Questions to Ask Potential Energy Suppliers before Enrolling.
How do I compare prices?
Use our How to Calculate Gas Savings table. Plug in the suppliers' offers and compare them with Washington
Gas's historical prices.
When you obtain suppliers' prices, ask whether the price includes
the balancing charge, a fee to help ensure adequate supply. Washington Gas's
historical price already includes this charge, and you will want to make accurate
comparisons.
As a consumer, how am I protected?
Consumer protection standards are in place. The natural gas is
delivered to you through the company's system of pipes, and, in the unlikely
event that an energy supply company exits the program, Washington Gas makes
sure you receive the gas you need.
How do I obtain more information about this program?
Consider contacting the following resources:
Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia
202-626-5100
http://www.dcpsc.org
The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia's Web
site (www.dcpsc.org) contains the following additional Customer Choice-related
information and resources:
District of Columbia Office of the People's Counsel
202-727-3071
http://www.opc-dc.gov
Washington Gas
703-750-1000
http://www.washingtongas.com
Other Frequently Asked Questions About the Customer Choice Program
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