|
»
I can actually choose a different
energy supplier than my utility?
»
Why would I choose
another energy supplier?
»
How can it be cheaper?
»
Who is the
Energy Cooperative of America?
» Can't
I just buy this energy myself?
»
How does the Energy
Cooperative buy its energy?
» I'm
seeing ads from gas brokers or gas marketers, how do
they fit into this?
»
How is the Cooperative
service different from the service provided by other
energy suppliers?
»
What is the benefit
from that difference in service?
» How
do I enroll?
»
How will I be billed?
» Is
there a fee for switching?
» Will
my electric and or gas service continue as usual?
I
can actually choose a different energy supplier
than my utility?
The
deregulation of the utility industry means that your
utility is required, by law, to allow you to purchase
energy from any supplier and transport this to your
meter.
^Top
Why would I choose
another energy supplier?
It's
cheaper. By purchasing the energy you need from
a competing supplier, you can buy at a lower rate.
The combined cost of buying your energy from an alternative
vendor and paying the utility to transport the energy
to your account can be substantially less than buying
the energy directly from your utility at "retail
rates."
^Top
How can it
be cheaper?
Energy
Cooperative is aggregating a group of customers that
allows us to purchase electricity in large quantities
directly from the generators. Also, New York State is
encouraging customers to buy from companies like Energy
Cooperative by reducing the taxes on the electricity,
and through various rate incentives. This assists Energy
Cooperative in providing discounts to our customers
^Top
Who is the Energy Cooperative
of America?
The
Energy Cooperative of America is a not-for-profit corporation
created by a group of businesses that use energy. We
buy energy at wholesale prices and pass the discounts
onto our members.
^Top
Can't
I just buy this energy myself?
Purchasing
energy as a transportation customer is a complex undertaking;
you have to track your company's usage, and "balance"
your order throughout the month.
If you order too much, your local utility can
assess penalties against you.
If you order too little, you may be charged high
rates on the makeup energy.
These charges can cancel out the advantages of
purchasing transport energy altogether.
^Top
How does the Energy Cooperative
buy its energy?
The
Cooperative combines the accounts of all its members
into one group and then hires a consultant, Fluent,
to provide the specialized buying services to us.
Previous to the Cooperative, it was necessary
to have a truly huge energy bill or multiple accounts
to afford the cost and over head of engaging an energy
consultant. By
providing an energy billing service to our members,
the Cooperative in effect becomes a single customer
with a single bill and a single relationship with the
consultant.
^Top
I'm
seeing ads from gas brokers or gas marketers, how do
they fit into this?
A
marketer or broker buys energy at the lowest price it
can obtain and resells the energy at the highest price
the market will bear.
They will have a whole different incentive than
a cooperative that returns any profits back to its members.
^Top
How is the Cooperative
service different from the service provided by other energy suppliers?
The
Cooperative is different.
The
Cooperative
provides an "energy management" service
that provides its members the best prices we can
get.
Fees are a flat rate based on volume, (currently
$0.11 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf) for
natural gas and $0.0012 per Kwh for electricity),
there is no incentive to have our member buy energy
at higher prices.
The
Cooperative provides you with access to an on-staff
natural energy procurement expert, at minimal
cost, and with your best interests at heart.
Any
surplus of profits (if any) are returned to the members
based on the members proportion of the totalCooperative's
consumption.
^Top
What is the benefit from
that difference in service?
The
Cooperative works to minimize your total fuel
costs (this includes the combination of the supplier
costs, the transportation costs and the management
costs)
The
Cooperative uses its group buying power to negotiate
superior pricing so each new member enhances our purchasing
power and yours as well.
Through
our consultant's advanced proprietary software,
the Cooperative offers cost management analysis,
and responsiveness, while keeping overhead costs
low.
The
Cooperative's commitment to integrity, performance,
quality, and responsiveness is real and demonstrated.
^Top
How do I enroll?
Select
from the "Sign Up" button located at the top
of this screen.
^Top
How will I be billed?
Commercial Customers - If you are currently
receiving services from National Grid , NYSEG, or RG&E
you will continue to receive an invoice from them. This
invoice will be for the transportation of the electricity
and or gas; and you will receive an invoice from Energy
Cooperative for the actual supply of the electric and
or gas. If you are a business in the National Fuel service
area you will receive one invoice from the Energy Cooperative.
National Fuel will no longer be billing you.
For
residential National Fuel, National Grid, NYSEG
and RG&E residential customers you will continue
to receive the same invoice from the utility that you
currently receive as billing is done in a one bill model.
^Top
Is there a fee
for switching?
No,
there are no fees for enrolling in the program. If you
are not completely satisfied with our service or the
savings you receive, then you can return to the traditional
utility service.
^Top
Will my electric and or gas service
continue as usual?
Yes. The utility company will continue to read your
meter and deliver the energy to your home or business.
In the event of an emergency or issues regarding service,
you will still contact the utility directly.
^Top
|
Residential
Commercial
