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PUC website aids shopping for natural gas suppliers
BY TIM MEKEEL, Business Editor
Electricity is not the only home energy source that has been deregulated, allowing consumers to shop for their supplier.
Natural gas has been deregulated, too.
And to encourage shopping for natural gas, the state Public Utility Commission on Monday launched a website listing the choices.
PAGasSwitch.com compares the price of gas supplied by UGI Utilities to the prices of its competitors in this market.
The website also features background on natural-gas shopping and a glossary of terms.
Though it has been allowed by law since 1999, natural-gas shopping has been overshadowed by shopping for electricity.
That's because "Electric Choice" affects more consumers and involves more suppliers.
For instance, here in Lancaster County, which is PPL Electric Utilities territory, 42 alternate suppliers are pursuing 188,000 residential customers.
In comparison, UGI Utilities has about 63,000 residential customers in Lancaster County being pursued by 10 alternate suppliers.
A person who has shopped for electricity will find shopping for natural gas is a similar exercise.
There are the same types of considerations -- prices, cancellation fees, contract length, fixed or variable prices.
And in both cases, customers of the utility can find cheaper sources.
The PUC tracks PPL's competitors and their prices on behalf of consumers at PAPowerSwitch.com.
It shows 27 suppliers with cheaper prices than PPL's.
On the natural gas side, PAGasSwitch.com shows two competitors in this market have cheaper prices than UGI.
If you switch to an alternate supplier for natural gas, UGI still will bring the fuel to your home or business through its pipes.
UGI also still will make repairs to its delivery system and respond to emergencies.
Pricing and shopping tips for both natural gas and electricity also are available through the state Office of Consumer Advocate.
The information is available through its website, oca.state.pa.us, or toll-free at 1-800-684-6560.
tmekeel@lnpnews.com
PAGasSwitch.com compares the price of gas supplied by UGI Utilities to the prices of its competitors in this market.
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