Press Release

Customers must direct attention to important privacy release form.

    HARRISBURG, Pa. – More than five million electric customers throughout Pennsylvania this week will receive educational information on the opportunity to shop for an electric supplier. The mailing includes an important consumer information release form that requires the customer’s attention.

    Customers who have not previously enrolled in the Electric Choice Program will receive the information release form. They need to read this form carefully as those who do not want their account information released to licensed electric generation suppliers must complete and return the form. If the form is not returned, their customer information will be given to alternative suppliers to allow them to make offers to the customer.

    Pennsylvania’s electric distribution companies are issuing the mass mailing. It fulfills a commitment by the electric distribution companies to educate consumers about their opportunity to choose an electric generation supplier in Pennsylvania’s newly deregulated marketplace and instructs consumers on how to shop for an electric supplier.

    "An informed consumer is a smart shopper," said Jim Cunningham, president, Pennsylvania Electric Association, whose members are the electric distribution companies. "This outreach by the electric companies directly to the consumer ensures that Pennsylvania electric customers are aware of their opportunity to shop for electricity as well as know how to become smart shoppers."

    Information in the mailing includes step-by-step instructions on how to participate in the Electric Choice Program; a worksheet to help customers determine potential savings; suggested questions to ask suppliers when comparing offers; a list of licensed electric generation suppliers in each service area and a price to compare figure to use as a basis for comparing offers of competitive suppliers. The price to compare is the price per kilowatt-hour customers pay for the generation portion of their electric service.

    Sample questions to be asked of prospective suppliers when shopping include:

• What is the price per kilowatt hour?
• Does the price depend on usage amounts?
• Is there a membership or monthly service fee?
• Is there a bonus for signing up?
• Does the company require a particular length of the agreement in order to secure the quoted rate?

    In December 1996, Governor Tom Ridge signed the Electricity Generation Customer Choice & Competition Act, making Pennsylvania one of the first states in the nation to open its electric generation markets to competition. The law allowed Pennsylvania electric customers, beginning January 1999 – for the first time ever – to select their own electric generation supplier. Currently, there is more than 90 percent awareness of the program among consumers. Enrollment levels have reached nearly 2 million and more than 450,000 customers have taken advantage of Electric Choice by choosing an alternative generation supplier.

    This week’s mailing is the fourth consumer education mailing issued under the Electric Choice Program. To date, nearly 450,000 consumers have shopped for and selected a new electric generation supplier. If all customers shop, savings could reach $1 billion.

    For more information about the Electric Choice Program, contact 1-888-PUC-FACT (782-3228) or visit the Program’s website at www.electrichoice.com, which is now accessible to individuals who are visually impaired.

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