- Can you tell me about the Gas Choice Program?
- Do I have to choose another natural gas supplier?
- How can I save with the Gas Choice Program?
- Who is eligible to participate in PGW’s Customer Choice Program?
- How can I find out about suppliers?
- Who will bill me for my gas?
- If I choose another supplier, will I be able to switch back to PGW?
- Is there a charge for switching suppliers?
- Is there a deadline for signing up?
- Will the quality of gas from the new supplier be the same?
- If I choose a new gas supplier, whom do I call in case of emergency?
- If I live in an apartment/multi-family development does Gas Choice apply to me?
- Who will read my gas meter if I choose another supplier?
- What if I am a CRP (Customer Responsibility Program) customer and I want to participate in the Gas Choice Program?
- If I currently have a PGW Parts and Labor Plan AND choose a new supplier, will PGW still service my appliances?
- If I currently receive a PGW Senior Citizen Discount, will I continue to receive it in the Gas Choice Program?
- What is the "Price to Compare"?
- How do I sign up for the new Gas Choice Program?
- Where can I get more information about natural gas choice options?
1. Can you tell me about the Gas
Choice Program?
Presently, PGW brings gas to you by (1) purchasing natural
gas (COMMODITY) supplies from production areas throughout
the country, (2) transporting the natural gas through long-distance
interstate pipelines to Philadelphia (TRANSMISSION) and (3)
delivering the natural gas to your home or business through
our local distribution pipeline system (DISTRIBUTION). The
total cost you pay for these services is regulated by the
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC). The Gas Choice
Program starts in September 2003. Under the Gas Choice Program,
you could have the option to choose another natural gas supplier
to perform the first two functions - in other words, you will
have the option to buy your gas from a new supplier who would
bring the gas to the Philadelphia area. PGW will continue
to perform the third function of delivering this gas through
PGW's local distribution pipeline system to you as well as
read your meter, bill you and respond to any emergency.
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2. Do I have to choose another natural gas supplier?
No. Participating is entirely up to you, although you may
save money by shopping for a new supplier. PGW will continue
to buy gas and transport it to Philadelphia as it has always
done.
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3. How can I save with the Gas Choice Program?
Natural gas suppliers can offer a variety of prices, incentives
and options. You can choose the gas supplier who offers
the program which best meets your needs and budget.
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4. Who is eligible to participate
in PGW’s Customer Choice Program?
All PGW customers.
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5. How can I find out about suppliers?
Information about any PUC approved suppliers will be provided
to customers in the PGW bill envelope and also will be available
at PGW Customer Service Centers, PGW's Web site, www.pgworks.com,
or by phone at 215-787-1277.
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6. Who will bill me for my gas?
At first, if you choose a natural gas supplier you will
receive two bills. Your supplier will bill you for the gas
(COMMODITY) portion of the bill and PGW will bill you for
the delivery and distribution portion. In the future, you
will be able to receive one bill, which includes the charges
for both companies.
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7. If I choose another supplier,
will I be able to switch back to PGW?
Yes. In addition to providing you with our regular distribution
and pipeline services, PGW will remain an option for the
supply of natural gas to your home or business.
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8. Is there a charge for switching
suppliers?
Once the program begins in September 2003, you should check
with each supplier to find out if there are any fees for
switching service. You may also want to ask whether a supplier's
penalties and fees are fixed or change with the season.
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9. Is there a deadline for signing
up?
No. The Gas Choice Program has an open enrollment
period. You may choose to sign up at any time.
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10. Will the quality of gas from the new supplier be the
same?
Yes. All suppliers will be required to meet the same PUC
standards for quality and heating value.
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11. If I choose a new gas supplier,
whom do I call in case of emergency?
PGW will continue to provide you with emergency
service. Just call 215-235-1212 for 24-hour assistance.
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12. If I live in an apartment/multi-family
development does Gas Choice apply to me?
It depends on the terms and conditions of your lease
or contract. If there is one gas meter which tracks usage
in all households, most likely your management will decide
who supplies the natural gas to the property.
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13. Who will read my gas meter if I choose another supplier?
PGW will continue to read your gas meter.
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14. What if I am a CRP (Customer
Responsibility Program) customer and I want to participate
in the Gas Choice Program?
If you are a Customer Responsibility Program (CRP) participant,
you pay a reduced bill based on your income. This amount
is less than the actual cost of the gas you use. If you
are thinking about participating in the Customer Choice
Program, you should compare the actual cost of your usage
and not the amount of your CRP payment. If you decide to
select a new gas supplier, you will no longer qualify for
the CRP discount and will be responsible for the actual
cost of your gas supply and delivery.
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15. If I currently have a PGW
Parts and Labor Plan AND choose a new supplier, will PGW
still service my appliances?
Yes.
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16. If I currently receive a
PGW Senior Citizen Discount, will I continue to receive
it in the Gas Choice Program?
If you receive a PGW Senior Citizen Discount, you will continue
to receive that discount on the PGW portion of your bill.
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17. What is the "Price to
Compare"?
Price to Compare is equivalent to the Commodity portion
of your bill and is what you are now paying PGW to buy your
natural gas and transport it to PGW, which is the same service
a natural gas supplier can provide. This price is quoted
in cents per Ccf (100 cubic feet) of natural gas. By comparing
PGW's Commodity charge with the suppliers' offers, you can
decide which offer best meets your needs.
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18. How do I sign up for the new Gas Choice Program?
Every PGW customer was sent a Release of Information card
in the mail. Gas suppliers will contact customers directly
who do not respond to the mailing. The most common way of
contacting customers is through advertising and direct mail.
Customers who wish to have limited or no information released
to gas suppliers may fill out the form or call 215-787-1277.
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19. Where can I get more information about natural gas choice
options?
More information about natural gas choice is available online
at www.utilitychoice.org
or by phone at 1-888-PUC-FACT. Additional information is
available through the Office of Consumer Advocate by phone
at 1-800-684-6560 or online at www.oca.state.pa.us.
Information on the Gas Choice Program
is also available at PGW Customer Service Centers normally
open from 9 a.m until 5 p.m on designated days as follows:
Center City, 1137 Chestnut St. (M. T. Th. F.)
Frankford, 4410 Frankford Ave. (T. Th. F.)
Germantown, 210 W.Chelten Ave. (T. W. F.)
North Philadelphia, 1337 W. Erie Ave. (M. W. Th.)
South Philadelphia, 1601 S. Broad St. (M. W. Th.)
West Philadelphia, 5230 Chestnut St. (M. T. W. F.)
For more information on energy programs, contact one of
the Energy Centers listed below:
Neighborhood Energy Centers
| Belmont Improvement Association
|
215-382-6107 |
| Carroll Park Community Council |
215-877-1157 |
| Congresso De Latinos Unidos* |
215-763-8870 |
| Diversified Community Services |
215-336-3511 |
| Friends Neighborhood Guild* |
215-923-1544 |
| Germantown Settlement |
215-849-3104 |
| Hunting Park C.D.C |
215-226-2300 |
| New Kensington* |
215-427-0350 |
| South Lehigh Action Council |
215-229-2851 |
| Southwest C.D.C |
215-729-0800 |
| United Communities |
215-467-8700 |
*Spanish speaking available
Para la traducción española, la llamada 215-235-2175.
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