Pennsylvania Readies Launch of PUC Gas Shopping Website, Rate Board

The Pennsylvania PUC has announced, via Secretarial Letter, a new consumer tool, PAGasSwitch, on the Public Utility Commission's website, www.puc.pa.gov, which will make it easier for Pennsylvania consumers to shop for a competitive natural gas supplier (NGS).

The site does not yet appear to be live.

"PAGasSwitch enhances the information that is available to natural gas consumers by allowing consumers to compare the prices of their natural gas distribution company (NGDC) to the prices of NGSs that offer competitive gas supply in their service territory. On PAGasSwitch, both NGSs and NGDCs have the ability to enter and edit their pricing information that will be displayed on the website," the Secretarial Letter states.

The Commission is only allowing those entities licensed in Pennsylvania as a natural gas supplier, broker or marketer to be listed on PAGasSwitch and to post pricing.

Upon PUC approval, NGSs are able to edit on the site their contact information, price plan, contract length, cancellation fee, price per therm/Ccf/Mcf, and monthly cost estimate. Also, a comments field is available for NGSs to include any additional information about pricing, products, incentives or discounts.

"The Commission urges all licensed NGSs and NGDCs to be diligent in updating their pricing information on the natural gas shopping tool. NGSs are reminded that they are obligated to provide accurate pricing information in all marketing materials and that their prices must be presented in the standard pricing unit of the NGDC, pursuant to 52 Pa. Code § 62.77(a). The failure to keep prices accurate and current on the natural gas shopping tool will lead to the loss of an NGS's privilege to be listed on the website," the Secretarial Letter states.