Will I still be a customer of my utility?

Yes - the only difference is that you will also be saving money as a retail customer of your new energy service company. Your local utility owns the power lines that carry electricity to your business or institution, and they will continue to bill you "for the delivery" of electricity, at rates governed by the state. The actual electricity will be supplied by your new energy service company that constantly shops for the best wholesale prices to keep your costs down.

What if the power goes out?

If you lose power, or if you have an emergency related to your power, you must still notify your local utility. Utilities are required to respond with equal attention to all of their customers. They do not and cannot discriminate against customers who use your new energy service provider. In fact, most states provide incentives for customers to use energy service companies rather than the local utility.

Will I notice any changes to my service?

When you make the switch to your new energy service company, your electrical service will continue unintterrupted. The only change will be a separate bill from your new energy service company for your new low-cost electricity supply. Although you will continue to receive a utility bill, the amount will reflect only the charge for basic power transmission over the local utility's infrastructure. You will still have access to your usage and billing history from the utility, which can only release this information with your permission.

Who is responsible for safety and reliability of power delivery?

The delivery system is still the responsibility of the local utility, and, as such, so is its safety and reliability. The utility will maintain the lines and repair them if there is an outage or storm, and the regulatory body overseeing utilities in your state will help to ensure that the utility continues to provide a safe, reliable delivery system for your use.

What if I have a question about my bill?

For questions regarding your bills for electricity (such as your cost per kWh), contact your new energy service company and their representatives will be happy to assist you. For questions regarding the delivery of your service (such as outages, meter checks, etc.) please contact your local utility.