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You are able to choose from which company you purchase your natural gas supply for your home or business. There are several options to consider when making your choice. The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) wants you to understand your choices when you are shopping for gas supply. Whether your concern is getting the lowest price, a stable price over time, reducing your impact on the environment with lower carbon emission-options, or finding other value-added services, the choice is yours. NEW: Important information about new retail supply offer rules for energy assistance recipients!
Everything starts with a call/contact to a supplier, whether it’s your current supplier or the one you want to change to. You DON’T need to call Washington Gas or BGE to switch, even if they currently provide you gas.
You should always review and understand the terms and conditions of a retail gas supplier’s contract prior to signing the agreement; it is a legally binding contract. Watch these videos on our YouTube channel to learn more about energy choice and how to handle interactions with supplier agents. In this video, consumer reporter Mallory Sofastaii, of WMAR-TV/ABC 2 has some great tips on what you should know before choosing an energy supplier.
Before you sign a contract, understand the length of the commitment you are making. Contract terms range from one month to multiple years.
Natural gas supply is provided for a minimum of one month and service continues on a monthly basis until you cancel the contract. You can typically cancel at any time without penalty. Month-to-month contracts are often variable-price contracts.
Natural gas supply is provided for a fixed period of time – months or multiple years. Fixed-term contracts are typically fixed-price contracts. These contracts frequently (but not always) have a penalty for canceling before the term ends.
Some fixed term contracts have provisions for automatic renewal, also known as “evergreen” contracts. Retail natural gas suppliers are required to send a notice to customers at least 45 days before the date of the expiration of the original contract term that explains the new price, contract term, and any other changes to the terms of service. The new price and term could be fixed, or it could be a monthly variable price with no set term. Customers should contact the retail natural gas supplier if they do not want to renew their contract at the price/terms indicated in that notice.
Make sure you understand what happens at the end of the contract period with respect to the pricing of your natural gas supply. Your contract must contain this information, but ask the retail gas supplier if you are unsure.
If you decide to cancel your contract before the end of its term, you may be subject to early cancellation fees imposed by some retail natural gas suppliers.
Fixed term contracts often include early cancellation fees because some retail natural gas suppliers purchase the gas supply needed to fulfill the contract with the customer at the time the customer signs the contract. Fixed-term contracts that do not include early cancellation penalties may allow the retail gas supplier to cancel the contract early and leave the customer before the contract end date.
Review and understand the terms and conditions of your existing contract for gas supply and the terms and conditions of a new retail natural gas supplier’s contract prior to signing the agreement.
Find out if a retail natural gas supplier offers fixed, variable, or indexed gas prices. The price offered is for natural gas supply only. Your utility’s delivery charges will appear separately on your utility bill.
As you shop for natural gas supply, find out how and for what reasons your gas supply price can change, and select a plan that best fits your needs.
Some suppliers offer products that include environmental benefits such as carbon offsets purchased from projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, etc.
