FOR YOUR INFORMATION
RESIDENTIAL ELECTRIC POWER ALTERNATIVES
Covered Bridge residents now have the ability to choose an alternative electricity supplier. Competitors have reduced rates available for "Basic Generation Service", which accounts for roughly 70 percent of your bill. You will continue to pay JCP&L for "Delivery Service Charges". There are no fees for switching your supplier. You can switch back at any time. Some fixed rate plans have early cancellation fees, but variable rate plans do not. Switching to or from another energy supplier takes at least one full billing cycle. When you call, please have a copy of your JCP&L bill with you.
If you purchase electric power from an alternative supplier, you will receive a single bill from JCP&L for both electric power generation and delivery of electric service. You may continue to pay online and have automatic deduction from your bank account. Switching suppliers of power generation will not affect any financial assistance programs. * You will continue to call JCP&L about any service problems.
Because commercial electric power customers were able to switch suppliers sooner, Covered Bridge is already using alternative suppliers to reduce electricity costs for the clubhouse and outside lighting ..
Dominion Energy Solutions, Gateway Energy Services, Verde Energy USA and Viridian may offer lower residential rates than JCP&1. Some companies offer "green" power from renewable energy sources (such as wind and solar) at little or no discount from JCP&L's rates but is lessens your carbon footprint.
Descriptions of rates and potential savings are representations made by the
.
following companies.
DOMINION ENERGY SOLUTIONS
Dominion, a large Virginia-based power producer, recently offered rates from enrollment through May 2011 that are 10 percent lower than those of JCP&L. This amounts to roughly a 7 percent reduction in your total bill. One month before May 2011, you will be offered new rates. You can switch back at any time, with no fees. You may only continue to use an equal monthly payment budget plan for JCP&L's portion of the bill. Their new plan was not yet in place when the Newsletter went to print. For more information, call 1(866) 645-9802.
GATEWAY ENERGY SERVICES
Gateway offers fixed rates of 11.6 cents per kwh through 12/31/1 0, $.1190 per kwh for 12 months and a $.1256 per kwh for 24 months, with early termination fees of $12.50 per month or partial month. Gateway also offers a plan with rates that vary every month, with no termination fee. Its variable rate for July and August 2010 is 11.1 cents per kwh, as it was for April, May and June. Budget billing is available. For more information, call 1(800) 313-8333.
VERDE ENERGY USA
Verde Energy USA offers a monthly variable rate plan. Its July rate is 10.75 cents per kwh. There is no termination fee. For more information, call 1(800) 388-3862.
VIRIDIAN
Viridian offers a monthly variable rate plan with a $0.49 monthly administrative fee and no cancellation fee. The July rate is 11 cents per kwh. For more information, call 732-580-6511.
OVERVIEW: JCP&L gets competitive bids for electric power each February It accepts the lowest rates for the amount of power it expects to need, and charges residential customers based on a 3 year moving average. Much competitive electric power is produced from natural gas, the price of which is relatively low today. If natural gas prices were to rise substantially, power rates that vary monthly would reflect the increase quickly. Fixed rate contracts might not be renewable later on current terms, and their rates may rise more than JCP&L's 3 year average .. As a result, there is no assurance that alternative power suppliers will offer lower rates than JCP&L in the future.
On the positive side, there is excess power available in today's economy, and more companies are expected to compete here in the months ahead. This could hold down rates, as has happened recently in nearby states.
*The NJ Board of Public Utilities lists the following sources of financial assistance with electricity bills Comfort Partners 1(888)773-8325, LlHEAP 1(800) 510-3102, Universal Service Fund 1(866) 240-1347, Winter Termination Program 1(800) 624-0241, Lifeline Program 1(800) 792-9745, and NJ SHARES 1(866) 657-4273. Information and access to senior services may be obtained through NJ EASE 1(877) 222-3737.
For more information about energy deregulation, visit the NJ Board of Public Utilities' website: http://www.state.nj.us/bpu/assistance/utility/index.html.
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APPLIANCE REBATES
Rebates on appliances are again available until August 31 st through the NJ Clean Energy program. Buyers of very efficient appliances are entitled to these rebates. The rebates are $20.00 for room air conditioners, $35 and $50 for clothes washers, $75 and $100 for refrigerators* and $25 for humidifiers. Major appliance retailers can tell you which appliances qualify and help you apply for the rebate. More information may be attained by calling 866-NJSMART.
*There is also a $50 rebate offered year-round to residents who recycle their old, working refrigerators or treezers. This includes tree pick-up.
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