Energy choice FAQs
Energy Choice Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
RG&E no longer offers a fixed price for electricity supply. Instead, we offer two options: RG&E Supply Service, a variable price option for electricity supply, or ESCO Supply Service, with supply provided by an energy services company (ESCO). You can select either any time.
To help you understand customer choice, here are some frequently asked questions and answers.
You may purchase your electricity supply from RG&E or an ESCO. For the most up-to-date list of ESCOs .
You can select either RG&E or an ESCO as your suppler at any time. Please note, if you agree to purchase your electricity supply from an ESCO, you may incur a fee for ending your agreement early. Check with your ESCO prior to any switch.
Effective January 1, 2010, RG&E does not offer a fixed electricity supply price. Some ESCOs may have fixed supply offers. For the most up-to-date list of ESCOs .
RG&E previously had a set enrollment period each fall where customers selected from fixed and variable RG&E supply options and ESCO supply options; we called this enrollment program Voice Your Choice, and it is no longer in effect. The last Voice Your Choice enrollment period ended December 30, 2008. RG&E now has no set enrollment period for customers to select either RG&E or ESCO supply.
They are all the same thing: A supplier other than RG&E is often called an energy services company or ESCO. An ESCO is an unregulated business that sells electricity supply directly to you. RG&E continues to deliver the electricity to you. For the most up-to-date list of ESCOs .
The supply charge is what you pay RG&E or a supplier other than RG&E for the electricity you receive. The amount you pay per kilowatt-hour (kwh) for supply may be fixed or variable. RG&E only offers a variable supply price.
The transition charge is the difference between the market price of electricity and the price of RG&E’s long-term electricity supply contracts (may be positive or negative). This charge will be the same variable charge whether you purchase your electricity supply from RG&E or from an ESCO.
The delivery charge is what you pay RG&E to transport electricity to you over our power lines to your home or business. It is a fixed price per kwh.
You have the same choices as any RG&E customer: RG&E Supply Service, a variable price option for electricity supply, or ESCO Supply Service, with supply provided by an energy services company (ESCO). You can select either option anytime.
If you do not have an ESCO selected when you begin service with RG&E, you will be billed on the RG&E Supply Service rate.
It consists of a variable electricity supply and transition charge and a fixed RG&E delivery charge. The supply price varies according to market prices. RG&E makes no profit on your supply charge.
It consists of a variable transition charge, a fixed RG&E delivery charge and an ESCO supply charge. What you pay for your supply charge depends upon your agreement with your ESCO. ESCOs may offer both fixed and variable supply prices. To learn more about ESCO offers, please contact ESCOs directly. For the most up-to-date list of ESCOs .
You can contact ESCOs. For the most up-to-date list of ESCOs
The electricity supply, transition and delivery charges for the RG&E Supply Service can be found on our supply price page.
ESCO pricing information is not provided to RG&E. ESCOs may have both fixed and variable price offers. You must contact ESCOs directly for information about their offers. For a list of ESCOs .
All customers who receive delivery service from RG&E pay the same variable transition charge regardless of who supplies their electricity.
Yes. The electricity supply prices are calculated and displayed each day on the Supply Price page. These will be updated in January to reflect the new RG&E supply prices and the delivery and transition charges that apply to both RG&E Supply Service and ESCO Supply Service. The supply price you will be charged will depend on the prices in effect during your billing period.
Factors that may contribute to the wholesale market price of electricity include supply availability, demand for electricity, transmission line availability, economic conditions, power plant fuel costs and the weather.
RG&E places no limits on switching. However, ESCOs may limit switching. You should check with the ESCOs regarding switching rules.
If you switch from RG&E to an ESCO, you'll receive a letter from RG&E confirming your change in supplier. You can view your current supply choice on the top of page three of your bill, right above the meter reading table or by viewing your selection online.
You still call RG&E. RG&E will continue to safely and reliably deliver your electricity no matter which supplier you choose. For questions about electricity supply from your ESCO or about the ESCO portion of your electricity bill, contact your ESCO.
OTHER QUESTIONS
Purchasing clean, renewable wind energy is an option entirely separate from choosing your electricity supplier. If at any time you are interested in purchasing wind energy or call 877.RGE.WIND (877.743.9463).
The NYPA allocation of low-cost hydropower to benefit RG&E residential customers has been extended, on a month-to-month basis, through December 2009. The benefit to residential customers is reflected in the transition charge.