Your Attention………Please

Residential electric customers

 

 

In…

 

 

 

New Jersey and Pennsylvania….

 

 

 

 

You finally have an opportunity

 

 

 

To lock your electric supply cost

 

 

 

At a fixed price…….

 

 

 

For a

 

 

 

12 month period

 

 

 

 

 

 

This means saving of

 

 

 

Around 15%

 

 

Off your current

 

 

 

Local provider supply cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you look at your PSEG residential electric bill

 

 

You will see your…..

 

 

Price to compare

 

 

For electric

 

 

Is around

 

 

 

$.116 cents per kwh

 

 

 

 

Atlantic City Electric customers

 

 

Your bill shows a

 

 

 

Price to compare of around

 

 

 

$.122 cents per kwh

 

 

 

 

We now have a program that will permit

 

 

 

Residential customers in New Jersey

 

 

 

To lock their electric supply cost for

 

 

 

 

 

 

$.0999 cents per kwh

 

 

 

 

For a 12 month period

 

 

 

 

For a typical household

 

 

This provides savings

 

 

 

Of over $300 a year

 

 

 

 

No additional cost

 

 

No transfer fees

 

 

 

No interruption of service

 

 

 

The supply charges will be billed on

 

Your current local provider bill

 

 

 

Best yet…..

 

 

 

Nothing changes…….

 

 

 

Should you have an electrical problem…..

 

 

 

You still will call your local provider

 

To service the account

 

 

 

 

This opportunity is also available for….

 

 

 

All Residential Pennsylvania

 

 

Electric customers

 

 

 

 

(Contact us to find out your rate…….

 

 

 

Your savings are comparable)

 

 

 

 

 

As most of you know…

 

 

 

HBS has been in the deregulated energy business

 

 

Since January 2000

 

 

 

We have been providing

 

 

This service…

 

 

 

For only the commercial market

 

 

 

 

 

 

I get several calls

 

 

Every  week

 

 

From my clients

 

 

Asking……

 

 

 

 

 

Can you help me with my home electric bill……

 

 

 

 

 

Many have faxed or emailed me…….

 

 

 

 

All the special offers they have been receiving

 

 

 

 

Problem was……

 

 

All I found was……

 

 

 

 

Smoke and Mirrors

 

 

 

 

 

They had the sizzle….

 

 

 

 

No contract…..

 

 

 

Month to month……

 

 

 

Low variable rate……..

 

 

They also had……..

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minimal to no $avings

 

 

 

Many have complained to me

 

 

 

They actually paid more

 

 

Than the provider price to compare

 

 

 

 

 

For the first time

 

 

 

We have found

 

 

 

A Residential opportunity

 

 

 

 

That will provide….

 

 

 

 

 

True savings….

 

 

 

 

For your…..

 

 

 

Residential Electric Account

 

 

 

 

Should you like to know more…..

 

 

 

About this saving opportunity

 

 

 

For your home

 

 

Email……..

 

 

george@hbsadvantage.com

 

 

Or call our office 856-857-1230

 

 

 

 

$300 savings

 

 

 

 

For me…..

 

 

It was the equivalent

 

 

 

Of getting 1 month

 

 

 

Free electric a year

 

 

Visit our website: www.hutchinsonbusinesssolutions.com   to learn more about opportunities available to provide savings.

 

Most in Pa. avoid shopping for electricity supplier

By Andrew Maykuth

Inquirer Staff Writer

Pennsylvania electricity customers are skeptical they can save much by
shopping for power.

Although 88 percent of customers say they are aware they can switch to
alternative suppliers, only 45 percent have shopped, according to a statewide
survey conducted by Terry Madonna Opinion Research.

Twenty-three percent of residential customers statewide have switched,
according to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. About 1.4 million
customers have switched.

Madonna and several electricity suppliers told the PUC on Thursday that
nearly a year after Pennsylvania’s retail utility deregulation went into full
effect, the public remains wary of shopping.

“There are a fair number of people who did not look into changing an electric
supplier because they didn’t believe there would be long-term savings in it,”
said Madonna, director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin
and Marshall College in Lancaster.

The poll results were presented Thursday at a PUC hearing on competition.

The surveys found that price was the main concern driving customers to
switch, but many said the perceived savings were insufficient to make them
switch.

Suppliers said some residential customers have recorded savings up to $300 a
year.

Madonna, who conducted his telephone survey of 801 customers in September on
behalf of Constellation Energy, said 78 percent said they would consider
switching if they could save 10 percent on their generation charge.

Many customers who declined to shop said they were happy with their current
supplier regardless of the cost.

Madonna’s findings were echoed by an Internet survey of 450 customers
conducted by AlphaBuyer, a Paoli group- buyer that markets online.

Forty percent of the customers said the savings were not worth it, said Kevin
McCloskey, AlphaBuyer’s chief operating officer. About 24 percent said shopping
was too confusing or the choices overwhelming. About 15 percent said switching
was too risky or that it was a “scam.”

Under Pennsylvania’s Electric Choice law, customers can choose a company that
markets the power. Billing is still conducted by the incumbent utility company,
which collects a fee for distributing the power.

Customers who don’t switch are still supplied by the utility at a default
rate.

Only 18 percent of customers had visited the PUC’s website for choosing a
supplier. PUC members said more customer education was needed.

“It’s perplexing to us with all the tools being made available to customers
we only see 20 percent of the residential customers shopping,” said Robert F.
Powelson, PUC chairman.

Our Perspective:

HBS has been dealing in the deregulated energy market for over 10 years. I have always been suspect of the proposed residential savings in this market.  Most of the time you are offered a floating rate that may offer minimal savings.

The opposite is true in the commercial market. There are providers offering fixed price alternatives that offer a great opportunity for savings. HBS has found great success in the PA commercial deregulated market. We represent all the major providers selling electric in the PA market.

There is no upfront cost. Deregulated savings in the energy market has been a welcomed windfall for any business in both the New Jersey and Peennsylvania market who willing to look at the opportunity.

 

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20111111_Most_in_Pa__avoid_shopping_for_electricity_supplier.html#ixzz1ddcYbDS5

Online Auctions

The deregulated energy market is causing a big buzz in this area. In the spring of 2010, NJ opened up deregulated opportunities to the residential market.

In January 2011, PA opened up the Peco territory to deregulation after a 5 year moratorium.

As the result, the market has been flooded with companies and individuals trying to capitalize on these opportunities.

Online Auction opportunities are now available. All you have to do is type buying deregulated energy online into your Google page and you will have multiple selections.

Also many companies have been promoting a Multi-level marketing approach to set up a grass roots effort in hopes of gaining penetration in the market.

.

As more consumers have grown more comfortable with on line purchasing, it seemed natural that this avenue would be an effective marketing option.

The only problem we see is that when buying energy in the deregulated market, you are dealing with a commodity. This puts a whole new spin on the opportunity.

This week, we would like to take a look at on line auctions.

Below is a plus-minus list we have developed to help you make an objective decision about purchasing energy on line versus using an independent broker.

On Line Auctions:

Plus

• Feel like you are getting a good deal by participating in an ecommerce transaction
• Potentially lower price by doing the ecommerce transaction 
• Potentially easier transaction since there is limited contact with 3^rd party energy suppliers
• Electricity is a commodity and customer’s management feels this is best process for doing transaction

 

Minus

• Can be more challenging to negotiate terms & conditions  
• Potentially less leverage with suppliers since there is no personal interaction
• Difficult determining what factors are included in the price.
  •  Is it fully loaded? (contains 7% loss transmission and sales tax)
  •  Is it a fixed rate or variable rate?
• How do you know when is the best time to buy
• Online auctioneers are brokers approaching the same providers we would be using.
• Many on line auction companies do not have any information on their website regarding the management of the company

 

Dealing with an Independent Broker (Hutchinson Business Solutions)

 

Plus   

• We represent all the major 3^rd party providers selling energy in deregulated sates
• We offer personal service, individually marketing your account to these providers
• We monitor market fluctuations and discuss timing with our clients
• We offer fixed price solutions (Other options available for large volume users)
• We make sure all prices received are fully loaded and are an apples to apples comparison to your local utility’s price to compare
• Due to our business relationships, we bring leverage to the deal
• We assist with customer’s legal team in negotiating the business terms of the contract as they may apply
• We provide options, defining the best terms and conditions and service the account throughout the term of the contract, addressing issues as they arise
• We have been advising customer risk management strategies in the deregulated markets for over 10 years.
• Opportunity to outsource many of the tasks involved with the energy procurement process while retaining the control and final decisions on any potential transaction

 

Minus

• The energy market is in a growth mode, many new faces and the information is sketchy.
• You must be sure to deal with a reputable company who will represent your best interest
• Many of the new companies are offering variable rates

 

At first glance you may think this overview is biased.

Yes, we are an independent broker. We take pride in the value we have brought to our clients in the deregulated market.

We have just seen too much abuse. The deregulated energy market is an unknown.

We take time to explain how the market works with each client. We want you to understand this concept and feel comfortable with your purchase.

Each account is unique. There is no one size fits all solution.

There are great opportunities for savings in the business market.

Know the facts!!!!

Look to ask the right questions.

Let HBS be your eyes and ears….

While you continue to do what you do best….

Run your day to day business.

To learn more about deregulated energy opportunitiews for your business email george@hbsadvantage.com

Visit us on the web www.hutchinsonbusinesssolutions.com

What’s Up?

I say potato.

You say patato.

The difference may be just an inflection

Or the pronunciation of the word

(in this case it was my spelling, so you get the gist)

However, we all know what we are discussing.

Shame that the same thing cannot be said

About the word…….

Deregulation……

We should all know what we are discussing

We should all be on the same page…..

But there are so many stories……

Each one providing the best deal……..

A once in a lifetime offer……

Get in on the ground floor…….

What is going on????

With electric prices being at a 7 year low

We are finding, that everyone and their brothers,

Are now selling energy………

I get calls at my office almost….. everyday

Would like to switch electric providers?

How would you like to earn some extra cash?

The market is being inundated.

I am surprised Comcast and Verizon are not selling energy?

HBS has been selling energy to commercial clients for over 10 years

I would like to take a few moments to add our perspective.

Define what we see as the opportunity.

Educate our clients and friends.

Business

 

 

• The deregulated electric market price is closely tied to natural gas pricing.

 

•  
  • Thirty ( 30%) of the electric generated in the US is made with natural gas. Therefore, natural gas is a good indicator of the market prices.

 

• Natural gas market prices are the lowest they have been in the last 4 years.

 

•  
  • As a result, the deregulated market price of electric has also dropped.

 

• Many experts think that we may have hit the floor on natural gas prices back at the end of October 2010.

 

•  
  • The market has gone up and down several times since then, but it has never gone back to the low point recorded on October 25^th, 2010.

 

This information indicates that clients should be looking to lock in or fix the price of electric with a 3^rd party deregulated provider for a minimum of 1 year…… possibly 2 years.

We have actually seen instances where the 2 year fixed price is more competitive and offers more savings.

Each account is unique. Prices are all based on demand factors.

Are you a seasonal account?

(Highest usages during summer months)

Do you use most of your energy during the day?

(On Peak….when prices are higher)

Or do you have mixed usage?

(On Peak and Off Peak)

All these factors play into defining the deregulated market rate for your account.

Do you have annual usage demands

vs seasonal usage demands……

Your fixed rate will be lower.

(your demand usage is being spread out over the entire year)

Is your usage a mixed between on peak usages and off peak usages

vs only using power during the day,

when rates are the highest

Then your rates will be lower.

Each provider has their sweet spot. A client profile, they are most competitive with in that market.

HBS is an independent energy management consultant. Thru our strategic partnerships, we represent all the major deregulated gas and electric providers selling energy in deregulated states.

Our expertise is the ability to properly define the market and select the provider(s) who will bring the most competitive fixed rate, offering the best opportunity for savings to our clients.

What about Variable rates?

There are many companies now offering variable rates for electric.

Month to month contracts….offering savings of around 10%.

If the market prices are near the bottom,

Why would it not be in the clients’ best interest to lock in a fixed rate instead of floating with a variable rate?

As the summer season starts,

Market rates will also go up,

Due to summer demand.

So will those variable rates!!!!

It only makes sense to lock in on a fixed price,

if the market presents the opportunity.

In the deregulated energy market,

You are dealing with a commodity.

Timing is everything.

Let HBS be your eyes and ears.

Next week, we will outline using an independent broker vs buying online. Also, what does it mean when you say the price is fully loaded

To learn more about deregulated opportunities for your company email george@hbsadvanatge.com  

Visit us on the web www.hutchinsonbusinesssolutions.com

Saving in the Deregulated Utility Market

Note: With the current deregulated market opportunities now being presented to many business that qualify, the market has been inundated with new sales personnel. I found this article provides on objective overview of questions you should ask and details you should know before making a decision.

There are many companies offering variable electric rates. I would not recommend this solution at this time.

With natural gas prices being the lowest they have been in the last 3 or 4 years, there are great opportunities to lock into a fixed price electric contract for a 1 or 2 year period.

By Carl Shaw

With the deregulation of energy in many parts of the US, competition is now allowed between energy companies to provide electricity at discounted rates directly to their customers. These Energy Service Provider Companies (ESCOs) are licensed by individual states and are required to adhere to the applicable regulatory guidelines set by the Public Service Commissions (PSC) or Public Utility Commission (PUC).  Customers (end-users) also have the opportunity to work with electricity brokers or consultants who can compare different offers and provide additional services to help manage your monthly energy spending and costs.

If you are a business spending a minimum of $3000 a month  on your electric or natural gas bill, you may qualify to choose your electric or natural gas supplier in deregulated markets, which could create savings opportunities. Companies that can control or manage their electric consumption to use more electricity in the off-peak hours will find the greatest opportunity for savings. In deregulated markets, you now have a choice and can choose lower energy rates without any risk or local service change.

Your local energy service providers buy natural gas and electricity on the open market at wholesale prices based on the current market conditions and then bill their customers at increased rates to include margins and/or service fees.

Independent Deregulated brokers can put your company in a competitive position by leveraging extensive buying power to help you develop energy supply procurement programs. They can conduct an unbiased rate and tariff analyses that may result in substantial savings to you. 

Due to the current economic conditions and the complications deregulation has caused there are many new energy advisory companies popping up, so be sure to know all the facts before making any decision.

When choosing a qualified utility tariff analysis & rate optimization firm to represent you, you should be aware of a few things:

First, be sure that the price you are quoted from your local provider includes all charges. Should you be talking to a consultant or broker, make sure the price is “fully loaded” meaning, does it include the 7% loss allowance (to deliver 100,000 kWh of electric, the providers must actually send 107,000 kWh, for there is a 7% loss in transmission)? Also does it include the local sales tax?

In PA, you must also ask if the price includes GRT (gross receipt tax) and RMR (reliabilty must run). RMR is a pass thru charge from the provider that allows them to meet peak demand periods when they must use additional resources to meet this demand. This is normally found during the summer months.

All these important components should be included in the quote from your deregulated provider to make an accurate comparison. These components are included in your price to compare from your local provider.  Often, companies will provide a low end quote without including sales tax and a load allowance. Be sure you are comparing apples to apples. Often when these figures are included, their real quote is much higher.

Does the company providing your quote have an Energy Information Management System in place, to make sure that you are getting the best available rate?

Are they shopping your account to more than 1 provider. Each provider has a sweet spot (a market they are most competitive in). An independent broker who knows the market will be able to identify these providers and work to get the best price.

Information is power. Knowing what questions to ask will save you time and money.

There are opportunities to save from 10% to 25% in the deregulated electric market depending on your usage patterns.

When making a final decision, know that you are dealing with a commodity and timing is everything. Market fluctuations may happen on a daily basis.

PSEG approves you switching service providers under the new Gas & Electric Dergulation Law…..Really!

As presented by Public Power (An overview of the deregulated electric in the residential market)

Many of those that are considering switching over are a little confused about what is actually happening.

You are not switching your gas & electric company, you are only switching service providers.

What this means,for example:

If PSEG is your current Gas & Electric Company. They will remain your Utility company. They will still service your home if you have a problem or power outage etc. You will still receive and pay your Bill thru PSEG. What you are doing is simply switching where your Gas and Electric is coming from.  In this case you will be asking PSEG to simply obtain your Gas & Electric from Public Power,LLC instead of their current provider. Currently Public Power per Kilowatt rate is cheaper than PSEG ‘s provider. You can check on your rate by looking at your BILL and looking up the kWh rate.

Then go to  https://ppandu.com/historical_rates.php to check Public Powers’s historical rates for other areas they currently service. Though rates vary from month to month, you will find they have been historically lower then PSEG, Con Ed and many other NY & NJ utility providers.

Actual electric rates for 2009 in January were 11.2 for Public Power and Utility (PP&U), … Feb 2010, 9.999*, 11.051*, 11.568*. Jan 2010, 9.999*, 11.051*, 11.568* …

PSEG Sept 2010 Average Residential rate is 12.00 per kWh

Currently if you are using under 600 kWh per month you are paying about 11.46 per kWh. If you never exceed that all year then your rate will stay at about 11.46.

 But as soon as you go over 600 Kwh June thru Sept,that part of your bill is jacked up to about 12.34 per kwh. So on average if you are using from 601 kWh and more during the year, the blended average rate is about 12.00 per kwh.  Understand above ONLY reflects the cost of electricity, not the PSEG delivery charges etc. The rates we are concerned with are just the BGS Energy charges, which on your bill is the “Rate to Compare” when you are considering a 3rd party supplier for your electric such as Public Power.

SEE BELOW THE PSEG RATE(TARRIF) Chart (approved June 2010) Note the highlighted rates

PUBLIC SERVICE ELECTRIC AND GAS

COMPANY           Twenty-Eighth

Revised Sheet No. 67 Superseding     

B.P.U.N.J. No. 14 ELECTRIC                                             Twenty-Seventh Revised Sheet No. 67  

BASIC GENERATION SERVICE – FIXED PRICING (BGS-FP)
ELECTRIC SUPPLY CHARGES 

APPLICABLE TO: 

Default electric supply service for Rate Schedules RS, RSP, RHS, RLM, WH, WHS, HS, BPL, BPL­POF, PSAL, GLP and LPL-Secondary (less than 1,000 kilowatts). 

BGS ENERGY CHARGES: 

Applicable to Rate Schedules RS, RHS, RLM, WH, WHS, HS, BPL, BPL-POF and PSAL           Charges per kilowatthour: 

Rate  Schedule	For usage in each of the  months of  October through May		For usage in each of the  months of  June through September
	Charges		Charges
	Charges	Including SUT	Charges	Including SUT
RS –first 600 kWh	11.4627 ¢	12.2651 ¢	11.4356 ¢	12.2361 ¢
RS – in excess of 600 kWh	11.4627 ¢	12.2651 ¢	12.3477 ¢	13.2120 ¢
RHS – first 600 kWh	9.8139 ¢	10.5009 ¢	10.9809 ¢	11.7496 ¢
RHS – in excess of 600 kWh	9.8139 ¢	10.5009 ¢	12.2005 ¢	13.0545 ¢
RLM On-Peak	16.1526 ¢	17.2833 ¢	15.6936 ¢	16.7922 ¢
RLM Off-Peak	7.4633 ¢	7.9857 ¢	7.8736 ¢	8.4248 ¢
WH	9.5068 ¢	10.1723 ¢	10.6903 ¢	11.4386 ¢
WHS	7.7482	8.2906 ¢	8.9246 ¢	9.5493
HS	10.3708 ¢	11.0968 ¢	13.9608 ¢	14.9381
BPL	7.3379	7.8516 ¢	7.6450 ¢	8.1802 ¢
BPL-POF	7.3379 ¢	7.8516 ¢	7.6450 ¢	8.1802 ¢
PSAL	7.3379 ¢	7.8516 ¢	7.6450 ¢	8.1802 ¢

 

The above Basic Generation Service Energy Charges reflect costs for Energy, Generation Capacity, Transmission, and Ancillary Services (including PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. (PJM)  Administrative Charges). The portion of these charges related to Network Integration Transmission Service, including the PJM Seams Elimination Cost Assignment Charges, the PJM Reliability Must Run Charge and PJM Transmission Enhancement Charges may be changed from time to time on the effective date of such change to the PJM rate for these charges as approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). 

Kilowatt threshold noted above is based upon the customer’s Peak Load Share of the overall summer peak load assigned to Public Service by the Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Office of the Interconnection (PJM). See Section 9.1, Measurement of Electric Service, of the Standard Terms and Conditions of this Tariff. 

Note: Hutchinson Business Solutions has been providing independent deregulated energy management solutions for corporate clients for over 10 years. Although we do not currently provide these services to the residential market, we felt that it is important to make this information available to the general public, since many residential customers are now looking at this opportunity.

Date of Issue: May 20, 2010-Effective: June 1, 2010
Issued by FRANCES I. SUNDHEIM, Vice President and Corporate Rate Counsel
80 Park Plaza, Newark, New Jersey 07102
Filed pursuant to Order of Board of Public Utilities dated March 1, 2010
in Docket No. E009050351

New Jersey consumers perplexed by elecric-power options

 

 

Posted on Sun, Jan. 16, 2011

By Andrew Maykuth

Inquirer Staff Writer

Pearl Rosenbloom and her neighbors in South Jersey have been getting lots of sales calls lately encouraging them to switch from Public Service Electric & Gas Co. to alternative power suppliers.

The pitches are often long on enthusiasm, but short on facts.

“When you ask for details, they just say, ‘You’re going to save money!’ ” Rosenbloom said.

The Burlington County resident looks longingly across the Delaware River, where Peco Energy Co. customers are rapidly moving into a market-rate environment.

Pennsylvania residential customers have access to a wealth of comparative information on rates assembled by the Public Utility Commission or the state Office of the Consumer Advocate.

But in New Jersey, where suppliers are offering residential discounts of 12 percent and more, consumers are largely on their own when it comes to assessing the data.

“We don’t know what to do,” Rosenbloom said.

J. Gregory Reinert, the communications director of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, said there were too many offerings for Garden State regulators to manage the data on behalf of customers.

“We do not provide comparison data of third-party suppliers or utilities,” he said.

“Customers need to do comparison shopping by either calling or visiting the websites of each company to review the tariffs or promotions, and make their own comparisons and decisions,” Reinert said.

New Jersey’s approach stands in contrast to the model states lauded in a recent industry study of electricity deregulation. Advocates of market rates say competition helps suppress electrical costs by encouraging more efficiency and conservation.

Nat Treadway, the managing director of a Houston firm that conducts an annual assessment of restructured markets, in December singled out Pennsylvania’s system for praise.

In most deregulated states, including New Jersey and Pennsylvania, customers are free to choose the company that generates their electricity, which makes up the biggest part of their bill. Traditional utilities, such as PSE&G and Peco, are solely distributors of power and do not make money off power generation – even on the electricity they buy on behalf of customers who do not switch.

Treadway, managing partner of the Distributed Energy Financial Group, said the best markets for encouraging electrical choice were in Texas and New York.

By contrast, Treadway called New Jersey’s restructured residential market “marginal.”

Ronald M. Cerniglia, director of governmental and regulator affairs for Direct Energy Services L.L.C., a large electricity marketer operating in several states, called New Jersey’s marketplace “suboptimal.”

He said the best competitive markets set up rules that encourage alternative suppliers to do business while still providing traditional consumer protections.

Regulators in thriving markets also make efforts to educate customers. One way is to maintain websites with neutral cost comparisons.

The Pennsylvania PUC’s papowerswitch.com lists most current suppliers, and some of their offerings. The Texas and New York utility commissions operate sophisticated websites that allow consumers to search for competitive offers by zip code: powertochoose.org and newyorkpowertochoose.com.

The New Jersey BPU rolled out a website for power-shopping after it opened electricity markets to competition in 1999, part of a $13.5 million promotional effort.

But New Jersey’s rates were still rigidly structured, and residential suppliers stayed away. The BPU’s website was abandoned in 2003 and the domain name was taken over by a Spanish pornography site, according to the Newark Star-Ledger.

Only in the last year have alternative suppliers planted their flags in New Jersey’s residential markets. As of November, 98,700 customers out of New Jersey’s 3.3 million households had switched to alternative suppliers, up from a mere 213 households in 2009.

By comparison, Peco Energy Co. says 96,000 of its residential customers have switched suppliers, most in the two weeks since rate caps were lifted Jan. 1.

The BPU provides the names of suppliers on its website, but the list appears to be out of date. South Jersey Energy Co. is listed as a residential electrical supplier even though it has been “out of residential for a number of years,” according to Joanne Brigandi, a company spokeswoman.

And in some cases, it is difficult for New Jersey customers to locate even the most basic information from which they can make an informed choice.

PSE&G’s basic-generation service – the price to compare – is listed as 11.5 cents per kilowatt-hour on some alternative suppliers’ websites.

PSE&G spokeswoman Karen A. Johnson confirmed Friday that the utility’s price to compare is 11.5 cents per kilowatt-hour.

Several suppliers are offering discounts below either price. They are listed above.

Our Perspective:

Hutchinson Business Solutions has been providing deregulated energy management solutions to our business clients for over 10years. Although we currently do not serve the residential markets in deregulated states, I found it prudent to offer some insight to the many residential clients now seeking savings in the deregulated electric market.

Since NewJersey just introduced the opportunity to their residents in the spring of 2010 and Pennsylvania in January 2011, many people have jumped on the band wagon selling electric. 

We get several calls daily from 0ur clients asking questions about saving for their home electric. The first thing that I caution them is to make sure the price that is being presnted is fully loaded and contains all the factors that are included to make a cost to compare analysis. Does it include a 7% loss allowance (to deliver 100 kw of electric you must send 107 kw for there is a 7% is line loss in the delivery of the electricity)  and 7% sales tax. These factors are included in the PSEG and AC Electric price to compare.

The second thing we caution clients to look for is a fixed price. Natural gas prices are the lowest they have been in the last 3 to 4 years. Although they have spiked recently due to the winter cold, prices are still very attractive. Thirty % (30%) of the electric generated in the US is made with natural gas. Because of this, natural gas prices serve as a stong indicator used for electric market prices. By choosing a fixed price, you can lock your position for a 1 or 2 year period.

Variable pricing does not provide this opportunity and is therefore a more riskier decision at this time.

Proceed with caution and make sure to get all the facts before choosing a deregulated residential electric provider.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/business/20110116_New_Jersey_consumers_perplexed_by_elecric-power_options.html?viewAll=y#ixzz1BFl4JZXL
Watch sports videos you won’t find anywhere else

Electric choice could help PECO customers save money in 2011

Published: Tuesday, December 14, 2010

By Brian McCullough; Journal Register News Service

The right to choose isn’t much good if it’s not used. That’s the message of Sonny Popowsky, Pennsylvania’s Consumer Advocate, and the state Public Utility Commission, who are urging electric users in the region to make an informed decision on whether they want to continue to receive electricity generated by PECO.

“What I hope is that people decide,” Popowsky said. “My hope is that people across Pennsylvania will know they have a choice and take the time to make it.”

Effective Jan. 1, consumers in southeast Pennsylvania can choose the company that generates their electricity. The choice comes as electric rate caps imposed on PECO are ending.

The caps are coming off four utilities in Pennsylvania, with PECO having the largest number of affected customers. They are the last four electric utilities in the state that had rate caps in effect.

Throughout much of last year, there were dire predictions of electric rates skyrocketing 30, 40 or 50 percent when the rate caps expired.

Now, however, with the recession and an increase in the supply of natural gas used by power generating stations, the increases are much more modest.

PECO is saying its rates for residential customers will increase 5 percent in January while rates for large industrial businesses will go up 7 percent. Small businesses — those that use less than 500 kilowatt hours per month — will actually see a decrease in PECO rates of about 5 percent, spokeswoman Cathy Engel said.

The key number for PECO residential customers to look at when considering a change is 9.92 cents, which is PECO’s price per kilowatt hour heading into the new year.

Residents are urged to visit the website established by the PUC specifically for the switch, www.PaPowerSwitch.com, to see what new suppliers have entered their area. Residents can shop by entering their ZIP codes. Frequently asked questions on picking an electricity supplier/

In the 19067 Yardley-Morrisville ZIP code, for instance, 17 suppliers are registered to sell electricity — all but one of which come in below PECO’s default price.

Generation suppliers registered in the Yardley area, for instance, are: BlueStar Energy, Champion Energy Services, Commerce Energy Inc., Con Ed Solutions, Direct Energy, Dominion Energy Solutions, Energy Cooperative Association of Pennsylvania, Energy Plus Holdings, Gateway Energy Services Corp., North American Power, Palmco Power Pa. LLC, Public Power LLC, Respond Power LLC, Spark Energy LP, Stream Energy Pennsylvania LLC, Verde Energy USA Inc., Viridian Energy and Washington Gas Energy Services.

Three of the providers — Blue Star, Commerce and the Energy Cooperative Association of Pennsylvania — advertise renewable energy.

According to the website, a residential customer using 700 kilowatt hours of electricity a month from PECO pays $69.30 a month. The lowest price listed on the Web site Monday came from Stream Energy, with a variable rate of 7.43 cents per kilowatt hour for a monthly bill of $52.01. The highest came from Commerce Energy, the renewable energy provider, with an average listed monthly bill of $77.35.

No Blacklist

One of the obstacles consumer advocates and regulators face in getting consumers to make the switch is a fear that doing so will mean a drop in service when there are outages or other service issues, said Rob Powelson, the former head of the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry and now a PUC commissioner.

What consumers are choosing is the company that will generate the electricity. PECO will continue to deliver it and will continue to respond to emergencies with no regard to a customer’s selected generator, he and Engel noted.

PECO also will continue to deliver the bills to all electric customers in the region. The only difference will be on the line that lists the generator.

PECO will be the default provider of electricity to consumers in their region who do not shop.

“PECO does not care where you get your energy generation from,” said Powelson, a Kennett Square-area resident, noting that the Philadelphia-based utility is required to shop on the open market itself for the lowest prices. “PECO will still come out when there’s a storm.

“I hear people say all the time they’re going to be put on a blacklist if they switch,” Powelson said. “I can’t stress this enough: Customers are not going to offend PECO by picking another generation supplier.”

Engel agreed.

“It has no impact on us what supplier they choose,” the spokeswoman said. “We are an energy delivery company.”

She does urge consumers to keep in mind a few things as they shop, however, such as whether the prices being quoted are fixed or variable, and whether there are cancellation fees.

The Numbers

According to the PaPowerSwitch.com Web site, 659,187 electric customers across Pennsylvania have switched generation suppliers in recent years.

Since the rate caps expired in the PPL territory in central Pennsylvania a year ago, 400,000 of the 1.8 million PPL customers have switched, said PUC spokeswoman Denise McCracken. At that time, consumers were looking at rate increases of 30 percent, giving them more motivation to shop, she noted.

The changeover has been much slower in PECO’s territory to date, with a little more than 2,000 residential customers, or 0.2 percent, changing providers. That figure is probably attributable to the smaller increase in prices electric customers face this year, she said.

Overall, 20,860 PECO customers, or 1.3 percent of its total base, have switched, the bulk of which are businesses that use more electricity and are more affected by higher rates.

Powelson believes the pace of switching will pick up in the first quarter of next year, when the PUC “is optimistic” that 20 percent to 25 percent of PECO customers will choose to switch.

“I’d love to see 50 percent to 100 percent,” Powelson said. “Every year you choose your health care plan, you choose your cell phone provider, you choose your cable provider.

“Now, this is another choice you have.”

Whatever provider people choose, Powelson hopes they take advantage of PECO’s Smart Ideas program, which offers incentives to consumers to make their homes more energy efficient. Powelson said he has used it himself to reduce his energy bill.

“Customers now have options to save money on energy usage,” he said.

Humbled

I hope you don’t have trouble reading this entry. Recently I fell, separated my right shoulder and now I have to write left-handed. 

People who know me say my handwriting is terrible. (I thought you went to Catholic School, didn’t they teach you the Palmer Method)? 

You should see me trying to write and do everything left-handed. 

You never realize just how much we take the everyday things we do for granted until they take your rights (arm) away from you. It might be okay if I was left-handed….. 

But somehow I feel discombobulated. Everything has to be done is slow motion with my left hand. Go ahead try it! 

Try eating with a fork left-handed. 

Comb your hair or brush your teeth. 

I feel like I am going thru rehabilitation. Come on George, I know you can do it. 

How did I hurt my shoulder? Don’t even ask. I wish I could give you a great story. 

You should see what the other guy looked like. 

But no, it was humbling. 

I was actually trying to cross the street at night in front of my office. It is dark and as I was going across the street a car was coming from my right. My first thought was… they seem to be going a little fast. I started to take a couple of quick steps to get to the other side of the street. 

Little did I know that why I am looking to my right at the approaching car and breaking into a jog that a 

“Beware… Pedestrian Crossing” sign was right in front of me. 

What was that? 

Was my first thought, as I was tackled head on… 

glasses flying off my face…. 

I am falling and stumbling to get the first down (across the street and out of the car’s path). 

I throw my right arm out to catch my fall. And as soon as my right hand hit the street….. 

I felt and heard my right shoulder pop out of joint. 

Now I am lying in the middle of the street, (fortunately, the driver stopped and got out of the car) 

The owner of the pizza shop down the street, seeing the whole incident, came running over to help me. 

Are you all right? What happened? Let us help you up? 

I am half in shock…what and the heck hit me?……And in severe pain. 

My first response…… don’t touch me, I just thru out my shoulder. 

Looking back I can see the sign lying in the middle of the street and my body is locked into crippling position. 

I could not stand up; 

Dragging myself up to my office, (looking like the hunchback of Notre Dame), I yelled to my wife: 

Janet!!!!!! (In extreme pain) 

I threw my shoulder out….. I can’t even stand up…… I need a doctor. 

Seeing me she says, 

“What happened?????  Did you get shot?” 

Thinking fast, she ran down the hall. (We happen to have a chiropractor in our building)

Dr Jon comes in, takes one look at me and says: 

Take George to the hospital. 

Did you ever notice that everything takes soooo much longer when you are in pain? 

We headed out to Virtua Hospital in Voorhees and let me tell you they did a great job. 

Kudos to my old classmate, Rich Miller, keep up the good work. 

I have a doctor, a doctor assistant and a nurse all pulling me in 3 different directions. Move a little more to the left, hold still, higher on your end…. but all of a sudden…. 

….Pop….my shoulder went back in. 

How do you feel sir? Are you still in pain? 

Anything has to be better than how I was feeling when I got here. 

What did you give me?  

Am I going to feel more pain later? 

What should I take if it starts to hurt later? 

Are you going to give me anything just in case it starts to hurt? 

So it goes, they put Humpty Dumpty back together again. 

For the next three weeks, I have my right arm in a sling……No Driving.

The doctor says there appears to be no ligament damage and I can start rehab on my right shoulder around the Christmas Holiday. 

Sounds like good news to me…. but how am I suppose to cut down my Christmas tree? 

JANET!!!!!!