Voice Your Choice Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Voice Your Choice electricity supply choice enrollment period is now closed, however you can switch suppliers at any time. Voice Your Choice electricity supply options are in effect from January 1 through December 31, 2008.

To help you understand customer choice, here are some frequently asked questions
and answers:

What if I didn't enroll my NYSEG electricity service?
If you did not enroll by 7 p.m. on December 28, your account was automatically placed as follows:

• If you are a residential or nonresidential customer without a demand meter, and you purchase your electricity supply from NYSEG, you were placed in the NYSEG Default Supply Option.
• If you are a nonresidential customer with a demand meter (service classes 2, 3 and 7), and you purchase your electricity supply from NYSEG, you were placed in the NYSEG Variable Price Option.
• If you purchase your electricity supply from a supplier other than NYSEG (also known as an energy services company or ESCO), and we did not receive an enrollment from your supplier, you remained with your ESCO on the ESCO Price Option.

Your account will remain in the appropriate option listed above through December 31, 2008, unless you choose to switch suppliers.

Whom can I purchase my electricity supply from?
You may purchase your electricity supply from NYSEG or an ESCO. For the most up-to-date list of ESCOs, click here.

What if I change my mind about my chosen electricity supply pricing option after
January 1, 2008?
From January 1 through December 31, 2008 you can switch at any time between a NYSEG supply option and the ESCO Price Option. You cannot switch directly between the NYSEG supply options.

I enrolled with an ESCO, but my bill still shows that I'm receiving NYSEG supply / I enrolled in a NYSEG supply choice, but my bill still shows that I'm receiving ESCO supply. Why??
NYSEG can only transfer your supply service if we receive the enrollment fifteen days before your next actual or estimated meter reading. You may have one bill on the previous rate option before the switch takes effect.

I chose/defaulted to the NYSEG Default Supply Option. Can I switch to the NYSEG Fixed Price Option or vice versa?
You cannot switch from the NYSEG Default Supply Option and the NYSEG Fixed Price Option or vice versa. You can switch at any time from the NYSEG Fixed Price Option to the ESCO Price Option or between the NYSEG Default Supply Option and the ESCO Price Option or vice versa.

I choose/defaulted to the NYSEG Variable Price Option. Can I switch to the NYSEG Fixed Price Option or vice versa?
You cannot switch from the NYSEG Variable Price Option and the NYSEG Fixed Price Option or vice versa. You can switch at any time from the NYSEG Fixed Price Option to the ESCO Price Option or between the NYSEG Variable Price Option and the ESCO Price Option or vice versa.

I am billed on the NYSEG Default Supply Option / NYSEG Variable Price Option. Is there a way that I can monitor the supply price each month?
Yes. The electricity supply prices are calculated and displayed each day here. The supply price you will be charged will depend on the prices in effect during your billing period.

I was billed on the ESCO Price Option with Supply Adjustment in 2007. Why couldn't I keep
this choice?
The ESCO Price Option with Supply Adjustment is not available in 2008. All ESCO supply customers were placed in the ESCO Price Option.

Why did we have to select an electricity supplier and supply pricing option?
This program is required by New York State Public Service Commission policy. With NYSEG’s Voice Your Choice program, you can choose your electricity supplier and decide whether you want to pay a fixed or variable price for your electricity supply.

NYSEG customers were asked to select an electricity supplier and an electricity supply pricing option for 2008. In November 2008, NYSEG customers will be asked to select an electricity supplier and pricing option for 2009.

What is a supplier other than NYSEG, an energy services company or an ESCO?
They are all the same thing: A supplier other than NYSEG is often called an energy services company or ESCO. An ESCO is an unregulated business that sells electricity supply directly to you. NYSEG continues to deliver the electricity to you.

What is the supply charge?
The supply charge is what you pay NYSEG or a supplier other than NYSEG for the electricity you receive. The amount you pay per kilowatt-hour (kwh) for supply may be fixed or variable.

What is the transition charge?
The transition charge is the difference between the market price of electricity and the price of NYSEG’s long-term electricity supply contracts (may be positive or negative). This charge will be a fixed charge with any electricity supply pricing option you choose. All customers will pay the same transition charge with any supply option they select.

What is the delivery charge?
The delivery charge is what you pay NYSEG to transport electricity to you over our power lines to your home or business. It is a fixed price per kilowatt-hour (kwh) and will be the same with any electricity supplier or pricing option you choose.

I am a new NYSEG customer or have new NYSEG electricity service since December 1, 2007.  What choices do I have?
Customers relocating or adding electricity service within NYSEG's service area have 30 days from the start of their service with NYSEG to select a NYSEG electricity supply pricing option.

Residential and nonresidential customers without a demand meter may select the NYSEG Fixed Price Option, NYSEG Default Supply Option or the ESCO Price Option.

Nonresidential customers with a demand meter also have three options; however, the NYSEG Variable Price Option is available in place of the NYSEG Default Supply Option.

For the ESCO Price Option, you must select an ESCO to enroll your account. If you choose an ESCO as your supplier, you should contact the ESCO directly for additional information about this choice.

What is the NYSEG Fixed Price Option?
It consists of a NYSEG fixed supply charge, a fixed transition charge and a NYSEG delivery charge.

What is the NYSEG Default Supply Option?
It consists of a variable NYSEG supply charge, a fixed transition charge and a fixed NYSEG delivery charge. The supply charge changes each month as the market price of electricity fluctuates. The electricity supply portion of the NYSEG Default Supply Option is from a mix of supply resources to moderate the fluctuation in price compared to market prices.

This option is available to all residential customers and nonresidential customers who do not pay demand charges.

If you are one of these customers and currently purchase your electricity supply from an ESCO and you want to select the Default Supply Option, you must first contact your ESCO to indicate that you will no longer purchase your electricity supply from them.

What is the NYSEG Variable Price Option?
It consists of a variable NYSEG supply charge, a fixed transition charge and a fixed NYSEG delivery charge. The supply charge changes each month as the market price of electricity fluctuates.

This option is only available to nonresidential customers who pay demand charges. If you currently purchase your electricity supply from an ESCO, you must first contact your ESCO to indicate that you will no longer want to purchase your electricity supply from them.

What is the ESCO Price Option?
It consists of an ESCO supply charge, a fixed transition charge and a fixed NYSEG delivery charge. How much you pay for your electricity supply depends on your agreement with your ESCO.

This option is available to all customers. ESCO pricing information is not provided to NYSEG; if you wish to learn more about this choice or to enroll, contact an ESCO who will enroll your account for you.

I am interested in purchasing my electricity supply from a supplier other than NYSEG. Where can I find more information?
You can contact ESCOs. For the most up-to-date list of ESCOs, click here.

I am interested in purchasing my electricity supply from NYSEG. Where can I find
more information?
The electricity supply, transition and delivery charges for the NYSEG Fixed Price Option, NYSEG Default Supply Option or NYSEG Variable Price Option can be found online in our Voice Your Choice section on nyseg.com. 

I’m a residential customer and would like to enroll in the NYSEG Variable Price Option and it’s not available to me. Why can’t I choose it?
A similar choice – the NYSEG Default Supply Option – is available to residential and nonresidential customers who do not pay demand charges – the NYSEG Default Supply Option. This option is similar to the NYSEG Variable Price Choice – you will be charged
a variable price for the supply charge from a mix of supply resources to moderate the fluctuation in price compared to market prices. The Variable Price is based on the market price of electricity.

The NYSEG Variable Price Option is available to nonresidential customers who pay demand charges (service classifications 2, 3 and 7). These customers are not able to select the NYSEG Default Supply Option.

What electricity supply prices do ESCOs offer? Are their prices fixed or variable?
ESCO pricing information is not provided to NYSEG. You must contact ESCOs directly for information about their offers. For a list of ESCOs, click here.

I am an ESCO customer, how does the transition charge affect me?
All customers who receive delivery service from NYSEG pay a transition charge regardless
of who supplies their electricity. The transition charge is the same with any choice
you make.

If I choose the NYSEG Default Supply Option / NYSEG Variable Price Option, is there a way that I can monitor the supply price each month?
Yes. The electricity supply prices are calculated and displayed each day here. The supply price you will be charged will depend on the prices in effect during your billing period.

What factors drive the wholesale market price of electricity?
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.

How often may I switch from NYSEG to an ESCO, from an ESCO to NYSEG, or from one ESCO to another during 2008?
NYSEG places no limits on switching. However, ESCOs may limit switching. You should check with the ESCOs regarding switching rules.

How will I know if NYSEG or the ESCO received my enrollment?
If you selected a NYSEG option, you would have received a confirmation letter from NYSEG. If you selected an ESCO, your ESCO would have confirmed your enrollment. You can view your current enrollment on the top of page three of your bill, right above the meter reading table.

If I have an ESCO provide my electricity supply, whom do I call if I have problems with electricity service?
You still call NYSEG. NYSEG 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
Can I enroll in wind energy?
Purchasing clean, renewable wind energy is an option entirely separate from Voice Your Choice. If at any time you are interested in purchasing wind energy, click here or call 1.800.35.NYSEG (1.800.356.9734).

How do New York Power Authority (NYPA) contracts affect my energy charges?
The NYPA allocation of low-cost hydropower to benefit NYSEG residential customers has been extended, on a month-to-month basis, through June 2008. The benefit to residential customers is reflected in the transition charge.