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The Power Game The New York State electricity market is no longer a regulated monopoly. Consumers now have a range of choices when it comes to electrical power providers. This ongoing series will examine the reasons behind and the impacts of the new energy market on New York State residents and the possible implications for the future of the power industry in the entire Upper Delaware region. Oh, the choices you have With the deadline for choosing an energy supplier getting closer, many New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) customers who haven’t chosen need to consider their options. The four companies, other than NYSEG, which consumers can choose from are Agway Energy Services, ECONnergy Energy Company, Mirabito Gas & Electric and NYSEG Solutions. These companies, known as energy supply companies or ESCOs, each offer different services and prices. No matter what ESCO you choose, NYSEG will still be the main contact point for issues such as power outages and other service problems. Agway Energy Services Started more than 60 years ago to service the energy needs of rural farms, Agway Energy Services has expanded to service over 500,000 homes and businesses in the Northeast. It is already a well-known supplier of propane and fuel oil in Sullivan County. For NYSEG customers choosing Agway as their ESCO, there is an additional 70 cent credit to the monthly bill. This is in addition to the four tenths of a cent credit per megawatt hour offered as a general incentive from all ESCOs. Those who switch for January 2003 are promised a price of 4.9 cents per kilowatt hour for the first month. Agway charges will appear on the customer’s regular NYSEG bill. There is no minimum contract length, so customers can switch to another ESCO or to one of NYSEG’s plans at any time with no penalty from Agway. ECONnergy Energy Company ECONnergy was one of the first companies to begin serving power to others when deregulation of the power industry began in the 1990s. With a service base of over 180,000 in four northeastern states, the company considers itself a major force in the deregulation effort. Energy prices are variable, but ECONnergy claims an overall savings of ten percent on average utility-owned power generation. Aside from the low prices on electricity, the company has partnered with a number of other businesses to provide discounts to its customers on everything from rental cars to flowers. Mirabito Gas & Electric Based in Sydney, NY, Mirabito has been providing fuel services to upstate New York for more than 70 years. The company also owns the Quickway food stores, which are familiar to those who travel near Hancock, Binghamton, Oneonta and other points north. Mirabito requires a service commitment of 12 to 18 months but does offer budget billing options. As of this writing, Mirabito is no longer accepting new customers in the New York state and Niagra Mohawk service areas. In the future, they may be available to switch to if you are dissatisfied with another ESCO. NYSEG Solutions This company is a spin-off of NYSEG and was one of the first to enter the deregulated energy market. It offers two pricing plans, one fixed rate and one variable rate. The fixed rate program requires a two-year commitment and promises prices up to 15 percent below regular wholesale prices. The variable priced option has no minimum commitment and claims up to 10 percent savings overall. If you don’t choose Any customers who do not indicate a specific choice of energy supplier by December 31 will be placed on NYSEG’s fixed price plan. If no action is taken, this is the plan that will remain in effect until December 31, 2004. Customers who enroll in the fixed price plan cannot switch directly to the NYSEG variable price plan. The reverse is also true. To switch from one NYSEG plan to the other, a customer must spend some time receiving energy from another ESCO. ESCO Contact Information Agway Energy Services ECONnergy Mirabito Gas & Electric NYSEG Solutions For questions regarding the NYSEG energy choice program, call 866/697-3403 or visit the NYSEG website at www.nyseg.com. 
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