Press release translation: Residential customers switching from NYSEG to an alternate supplier can achieve some modest savings in sales tax charges (if their muncipality assesses a sales tax on utility bills) and a 70 cent bill issuance charge that was previously included in the basic service charge.
The verbatim press release follows:
New York, NY—3/19/08—The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today ordered that the New York State Electric & Gas Corporation (NYSEG) implement a Price-to-Compare bill notice that will allow customers to make informed decisions about the energy the consumer purchases, and to reduce customer confusion about which energy supply option may be the most advantageous to each customer.
“The Commission has been very actively engaged in making sure that the energy market in New York State is open and competitive and that consumers are provided with a clear understanding of their options when it comes to purchasing energy supplies,” said Commission Chairman Garry Brown. “This decision will further customer choice and the ability of energy service companies, or ESCOs, to participate and rely on a fair competitive market.”
On August 29, 2007, the Commission adopted the terms and conditions of a Joint Proposal for NYSEG’s electric supply service. Among the matters addressed by the Order was a proposal that the company display a Price-to-Compare notice on the bills of customers who receive electric supply from NYSEG, but who are not mandatory hourly pricing customers. The parties to the Joint Proposal agreed to collaborate on the details and implementation of the price-to-compare bill notice.
Under the proposal that has been accepted by the Commission to implement the Price-to-Compare notice, NYSEG will modify its billing system, by March 31, 2008, to include new information, including mention that a consumer could achieve some tax savings if they switch to an ESCO and that, if the ESCO includes its charges on the consumer’s NYSEG bill, the consumer would not have to pay NYSEG’s bill issuance charge. NYSEG will make a Price-to-Compare calculation on a cents per kWh basis on bills for customers who receive supply from NYSEG.
The following parties participated in the collaborative discussion that led to the Commission’s decision: NYSEG; Department of Public Service staff; New York State Consumer Protection Board; Direct Energy Services, LLC; Strategic Energy, LLC; Reliant Energy; Constellation NewEnergy, LLC; Integrys Energy Services, Inc.; Energetix, Inc.; NYSEG Solutions, Inc.; National Energy Marketers Association; Retail Energy Supply Association; Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc; Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc.; and AES Eastern Energy.
The Commission will issue a written order reflecting today’s action. That order, when available, may be obtained from the Commission’s www.dps.state.ny.us Web site by accessing the Commission’s File Room section of the homepage and referencing Case 07-E-0479. Many libraries offer free Internet access. Commission orders may also be obtained from the Commission’s Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500).
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