You can now purchase natural gas from marketers. The natural gas industry in New York State is now open for competition as part of the deregulation process. Since May 1996 all St. Lawrence Gas
customers have had the option to purchase natural gas supplies from someone other than St. Lawrence Gas.
Through the St. Lawrence Gas Retail Access Program, customers may purchase natural gas from Marketers, who have been approved by the New York State Public
Service Commission and by St. Lawrence Gas, to operate in the St. Lawrence Gas service territory.
Marketers are responsible for arranging pipeline deliveries of gas to the St. Lawrence Gas distribution system. Once the gas reaches the St. Lawrence Gas system,
St. Lawrence Gas transports it on a firm or interruptible basis (in accordance with the terms of the customer's service classification) to the customer's facility
or home.
Many large volume customers in the St. Lawrence Gas service territory have had this option since 1992.
Can I buy my natural gas from someone other than St. Lawrence Gas?
Yes, other natural gas suppliers, known as Marketers, can provide your natural gas requirements. These Marketers will deliver your natural gas requirements to
the St. Lawrence Gas system. St. Lawrence Gas will then deliver the gas to you.
The Marketer will bill you for the transportation charges to deliver the gas to the St. Lawrence Gas system and for the natural gas. St. Lawrence Gas will bill
you for the transportation charges on the St. Lawrence Gas system, and any other charges according to the tariff.
Can anyone sell gas in the St. Lawrence Gas service territory?
No, only Marketers that have been approved by the New York State Public Service Commission can sell natural gas in New York State. Marketers must also be deemed
creditworthy by St. Lawrence Gas.
Why would a Marketer be interested in providing gas for my house?
A Marketer will sign up a large number of customers and provide the total gas requirements for the group. This process is known as Aggregation. Aggregating a large
number of customers into a group makes it feasible for the Marketer to provide natural gas to your house.
Will the service I receive from St. Lawrence Gas be different if I buy gas from a Marketer?
No, you will receive the same quality service from St. Lawrence Gas no matter what company provides your gas requirements.
What about my budget billing, can I buy my gas from a Marketer and stay on the budget?
Yes you can, your monthly budget amount will be adjusted to reflect your choice of gas suppliers. The Marketer may or may not offer budget billing on their
system however, check with them when you apply for service.
How can I find information on Marketers in the St. Lawrence Gas service territory?
The New York State Department of Public Service lists
all approved Marketers on it's web site.
Competitive Electric and Gas
Marketer Sources Directory
You can find a list of Marketers who have been approved by the New York State Department of Public Service and who have passed the St. Lawrence Gas creditworthiness
requirements in our Marketer Directory.
St. Lawrence Gas
Marketer Sources Directory
Will I save money buying gas from a Marketer?
The savings you receive will depend on the price charged by your Marketer. Be sure to compare prices before making a final decision. St. Lawrence Gas will
be happy to help you with your comparison.
To compare the St. Lawrence Gas price to the price a Marketer may quote, use the current rates shown below (these rates apply to all Residential and Commercial
(Small General Firm Service) Customers). These rates include the costs to transport gas to the St. Lawrence Gas system and for the natural gas supply. These rates
will be replaced by the rate the Marketer will charge. All other rates and charges, as specified in the St. Lawrence Gas tariff, will remain the same.
St. Lawrence Gas |
OCTOBER 2008 |
|
/ therm |
/ MMBtu |
Transportation GAC |
$0.135231
|
$1.35231
|
Supply GAC |
$0.742783
|
$7.42783
|
Total |
$0.878014
|
$8.78014
|
How do I start the process of buying gas from a Marketer?
If you have not been contacted by a Marketer you can try contacting one of the Marketers listed on the
New
York State Department of Public Service Web Site. If the Marketer is selling gas, or is planning on selling gas in the St. Lawrence Gas service territory
they will require some information regarding your account with St. Lawrence Gas. Some of the information they will require could be your St. Lawrence Gas account
number, your service address, mailing address, and phone number. You will be asked to give St. Lawrence Gas authorization to release your account history including
your monthly usage and your payment history. St. Lawrence Gas will not release any information without written approval from you.
The Marketer will offer you a price for their gas supply which should include all costs to deliver your gas to the St. Lawrence Gas system. You
should verify that the price offered includes all the charges you will be required to pay to the Marketer. Once you have the Marketers price you can compare it
with the price listed above, keep in mind however that the price of natural gas charged by St. Lawrence Gas changes on a monthly basis depending on market
conditions. The actual amount you save (if any) will depend on the ability of the Marketer to beat the price charged by St. Lawrence Gas.
Since your natural gas originates in Canada make sure your Marketer quotes your price in US dollars and that the price is per MMbtu (wet).
How can I get more information about my choices?
If you want more information about the choices that are available to you, please contact:
James P. Ward
Manager, Strategic Accounts & Planning
315-769-3516 ext. 192
jpward@stlawrencegas.com
