Please explain electricity choice to me.

Deregulation of the energy industry allows customers to CHOOSE their own supplier for electricity generation and transmission from suppliers separate from the utility. Your utility continues delivering your electricity, reading your meter and providing emergency services just like they always have. You may now choose WGES to become your low-cost energy supplier.

Will I save money compared with what I pay my utility?

WGES' one-year offers are lower than the current utility rates that are in effect until June 2010. The utilities' summer rates have not yet been announced, but WGES' low prices will protect your budget from uncertain utility rate changes. To determine your electricity savings, you need to compare the utility's generation and transmission charges against those same charges from WGES (the distribution charges will always be the same because they will be determined and charged by the utility). The amount of money that you will save on your electricity costs (compared with the utility) will vary depending upon your actual usage and the particular pricing offer and term you choose. 

Will I continue to receive one electricity bill if I choose WGES as my supplier?

Yes. You will continue to receive one bill from your local electricity utility (Allegheny Power, BGE, Delmarva Power or PEPCO). WGES' electricity charges will be listed separately on your utility bill.

Will I be able to continue on the utility's budget bill program if I choose a third-party electricity supplier?

Customers enrolled in the utility's budget billing plan will be able to remain on budget billing; however, the customer's budget bill amount will be the combination of a monthly budget amount for the utility's distribution charges and a monthly budget amount for WGES' electricity supply service charges. Any settlements or adjustments to either of the monthly budget amounts may not necessarily occur at the same time.

What is the utility's price to compare?

Each utility computes a "price to compare" to serve as a guideline to make comparisons between the utility's rate and prices for electricity offered by suppliers. The "price to compare" is an AVERAGE annual rate customers will pay per kWh of electricity generation and transmission from the utility. The ACTUAL amount an individual customer will pay per kWh will vary depending upon their rate class and seasonal usage pattern.

What if I sign up with WGES and decide I want to go back to the utility?

You will be signing a contract with WGES for a specific term. This term will vary depending upon the offer you select. If you decide to return to utility service within the term of your contract, you will be required to pay a cancellation fee.

Are there any additional charges or cancellation fees?

For residential customers, WGES will charge the greater of $150 or $20 per month for each month remaining on your contract term if you cancel your contract before the end of the term. If a customer's supply includes 50% or greater wind power, the cancellation fee will include an additional $50.

Will the utility treat me differently if I switch to a third-party supplier?

No, your utility will treat you the same regardless of the company from which you purchase your energy. You can depend on the same reliable service from your local electricity distribution company whether or not you choose a supplier.

Who will respond to power outages and electricity emergencies?

Your utility—Allegheny Power, BGE, Delmarva Power or PEPCO—will respond to emergencies, power outages and repairs.

Whom do I contact if I have any questions regarding electricity generation?

If you have questions about electricity generation billing or other issues related to generation, you will call WGES Customer Care at 1-888-884-WGES.

Who can help me with the utility (or distribution) portion of my bill?

Washington Gas Energy Services does not have detailed utility billing information for all utilities. You must contact your utility directly at the following phone number for any billing-related questions:

Allegheny Power: 800-255-3443
BGE: 877-746-6243
Delmarva Power: 800-775-9990
PEPCO: 202-833-7500

My electricity bill looks different. Can you explain why?

Your electricity utility has itemized the three main components of your bill so you will have the information you need to make an informed decision about choosing a competitive electricity supplier like WGES. The three main components of your bill are generation, transmission and distribution.

Please explain the following electricity charges on my bill: generation, transmission and distribution.

Generation service charge (70% of electricity bill, paid to supplier): Generation service charges are for the production of electricity at the power plant. Prior to deregulation, the electricity utilities owned and operated the power plants and were the sole providers of electricity generation service. With deregulation, you're no longer required to buy your electricity generation service directly from the utility. Now you have the choice to purchase your electricity generation service from an independent supplier like WGES. (WGES' electricity supply service includes all generation service charges.)

Transmission charge (10%-15% of electricity bill, paid to supplier): The transmission charge is part of the basic service charge that is included on every customer's bill for transporting electricity from the source of supply to the electricity distribution utility (BGE, Delmarva Power or PEPCO). The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulates retail transmission prices and services. (WGES' electricity supply service includes all transmission charges.)

Distribution charge (10%-15% of electricity bill, paid to utility): The distribution charge is part of the basic service charge that is included on every customer's bill for delivering electricity from the utility (BGE, Delmarva Power or PEPCO) to the customer's home or business. The electricity distribution charge is regulated by the Maryland, Delaware or District of Columbia Public Service Commission. (WGES' electricity supply service excludes all distribution charges.)

Is a special meter required?

No special equipment is required to buy electricity from WGES.

When will I be switched over to WGES once I sign up?

New customers should be switched within a month or two, with the new supplier charges appearing on the bill mailed the month following the switch.

Will my electricity service be interrupted in any way?

No. Your energy service is not affected when you choose WGES. The utility maintains responsibility for safely delivering your energy through its existing wires without any disruption in service.

Can I have automatic debit?

Yes! Your utility offers this payment method, and we highly recommend it.

Can I pay by credit card?

No, not at this time.

Does WGES offer a low-income rate or participate in any other low-income programs?

No, not at this time.

Are any other services available from WGES?

Yes. WGES also offers natural gas service. You may view our gas service offerings by selecting Natural Gas from the home page of this site. In addition, customers may add wind power to their electricity supply. 

Do you offer online billing?

Not at this time. All WGES electricity charges are consolidated on the utility's electricity bill. And the utility does not currently have the capability to offer "online billing" for customers using third-party suppliers. We expect, however, that this service will be available in the future.

I want to sign up with WGES, but my name does not appear on the utility bill.

For consumer protection purposes, your Public Utility Commission has ruled that only the individual whose name appears on the utility bill may change electricity generation suppliers.

What happens at the end of my contract term?

You will receive a renewal offer about 45–60 days before your term is over; however, you are not obligated to renew.

Will WGES perform a credit check?

WGES may perform credit checks and request financial data about customers. In addition, WGES requires customers to be current with their utility payments.

What is a kilowatt-hour?

Kilowatt-hours are a measure of electricity usage. One kilowatt-hour equals 1,000 watt hours. Using a 60-watt light bulb for one hour consumes 60 watt-hours of electricity. Using a 60-watt light bulb for 1,000 hours consumes 60 kilowatt-hours of electricity. The customer's electricity meter measures electricity usage.

Where can I obtain additional information about electricity deregulation?

The Maryland Public Service Commission has a website (www.md-electric-info.com) and a toll-free information line (800-800-4491). The Delaware Public Service Commission Choice Line has a website (www.state.de.us/electric) and a toll-free information line (800-746-7335). The electricity utilities (Allegheny Power, BGE, Delmarva Power and PEPCO) also have information on their individual websites.