In actuality, there already is a market monopoly, in that you as a consumer do not get to choose who delivers your natural gas. You are either in an area serviced by Peoples or an area serviced by Equitable and there is no choice involved.

In theory you do have a choice of gas suppliers, as Tony mentions, similar to the way you have a choice for your electricity supplier. You cannot pick who delivers your gas, but you can pick who supplies it. I say in theory because the choices are extremely limited. I spoke with the PUC about this and each distributer (Peoples, Equitable) has to work out their own "deal" with different suppliers, and they are under no obligation to work with any specific supplier and beyond that there is a negotiated price that they work out with the supplier as well.

You can find out about your "options" here: http://www.puc.pa.gov/consumer_info/natural_gas/natural_gas_shopping/gas_shopping_tool.aspx

I am a bit cynical (can you tell?), because I am serviced by Equitable and the one and only option for an alternate supplier is considerably more expensive. If you are a Peoples customer you have 3 choices, and one is actually cheaper, so Peoples customers can save some money. 

-Todd Shirley

On Jan 12, 2013, at 4:14 PM, pictony@verizon.net wrote:

As I recall, most issues related to utility companies are handled by the state public utility commission, link follows.  Not clear if this type of problem is in their jurisdiction, but couldn't hurt to try.
http://www.puc.state.pa.us/filing_resources.aspx
 
I hadn't heard about the Equitable Gas purchase, but should point out that residents have the option to select alternate gas suppliers, as for electricity.
 
Tony
 
 
On 01/11/13, Andrew Brooks<glocalized@gmail.com> wrote:
 
Thanks for your note, Jessica. I have not dealt directly with People's Gas, but this is important information for consumers to know considering they are in talks to buy out Equitable Gas. Approval of this deal would create a market monopoly and leave area residents with no alternative for their natural gas. I know this deal needs state and federal regulatory approval - does anyone know who best to direct public comments to? Perhaps this is something to raise with our local officials.

Thanks,

Andrew


On Thu, Jan 10, 2013 at 2:13 PM, Jessica Christie Morowitz <jessicachristiemorowitz@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear Neighbors -

I was wondering if anyone has had any dealings with Peoples Gas or if
anyone can relate to the following that has happened to me.

I moved at the end of July 2012 from a rental in Lawrenceville to a
house in Highland Park.  The gas meter at my old house was in the
basement and therefore I had to be home to have a gas reading.
Peoples read the meter in February of 2012 and in July of 2012 before
I moved out.  However, yesterday I received a bill for over $1200
which they claim I owe for gas usage from January 2012 through July
2012.  I had received a final bill statement in August of 2012 which I
paid.  I contacted the public utilities commission and they are
investigating this matter, I also contacted the Post Gazette to see if
others have complained of anything with Peoples Gas.  A representative
from Peoples contacted me today and indicated if I drop my
investigation with the Public Utilities Commission, they will reduce
my bill by half.  Now I really feel like I'm being scammed.  Just
wondering if there is anyone else out there who has dealt with an
issue like this.

Thanks,

Jessica Morowitz
1010 Heberton
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