Commerce Energy

Deregulation

Natural Gas

Historically, consumers had their supply and delivery of natural gas from a single company known as the local natural gas utility. This meant that consumers had no option in choosing their supplier. Your local natural gas utility purchased energy on the wholesale market and sold it to consumers in their assigned service territory. Today, natural gas has been successfully deregulated in many North American jurisdictions. This means that consumers are now able to buy natural gas at a competitive price from marketers. Your local natural gas utility company, as in the past, will continue to deliver your gas and provide 24-hour emergency services.

Electricity

Historically, consumers obtained a supply and delivery of electricity from a single company known as the local electric utility. This meant that consumers had no option in choosing their supplier. This is no longer the case.

How does energy deregulation affect you?

Deregulation separated the supply and distribution of electricity and natural gas. This means that you are able to buy your electricity and/or natural gas at a competitive price for a protected term from a licensed marketer such as Commerce Energy.

California Electric Service – Direct Access

The California Public Utilities Commission has temporarily suspended the electric Direct Access program to Residential Customers. As a result we can only provide electric service to existing Direct Access customers. If you are a Commercial customer you may take advantage of a partial re-opening of the Direct Access program that will take place in April 2010. The utility will accept Notice of Intent forms from a limited amount of Commercial customers between April 16, 2010 and June 14, 2010. Please contact your utility for further information or visit their website. For Pacific Gas & Electric visit http://www.pge.com/mybusiness/customerservice/energychoice/directaccesselectricity/index.shtml, for Southern California Edison visit http://www.sce.com/b-db/esp/SB695.htm, for San Diego Gas & Electric visit http://www.sdge.com/business/directaccess/index.shtml.

We are hopeful that changes will be made to the Direct Access program in the near future that will enable Commerce Energy to provide this service to all California customers. For more information contact our customer service department at 1-800-556-8457 or visit the California Governor’s Division of Ratepayer Advocates website at http://www.dra.ca.gov/DRA/energy/Direct+Access.htm.

Did You Know?

Up to 85 percent of the natural gas used in America is produced from wells right here at home? More than 95,000 miles of refined product pipeline crisscrosses the nation, bringing natural gas from the well-head to you - so much pipeline, it can take upwards of three weeks for it to travel from a refinery in Houston to a distribution center near New York City.

Supply and Demand

The available natural gas supply and the demands on that supply - particularly due to seasonal needs - have direct impact on your bill. When surpluses are high, it's a good time to lock in a more competitive rate.

Drop in the Bucket?

A hot water faucet leaking one drop per second wastes 160 gallons of hot water a year!

Money to Burn?

Fireplaces account for 14% of a typical home's heat loss.

Bright Ideas

Even better, use compact fluorescent light bulbs. They cost more than old fashioned light bulbs, but can use 75% less electricity and last longer. One compact fluorescent bulb can save you several times its cost in electricity.

Cooling Off

Turn off the AC when you leave for the day. Contrary to popular belief, this method uses less electricity than having the AC constantly maintain a cool temperature! Your savings can easily pay for the cost of a thermostat (as little as $50) in the first year by varying the temperature just a few degrees at night or when you're away. Just think of the savings over 5 or 10 years!

To better serve you, please select your utility.

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