Hi Neighbors I'm picking up this thread from a year ago because the the situation with "energy choice" remains the same as it did then, even though the merger between Peoples Gas and Equitable Gas was supposedly completed in December. Customers in our neighborhood who have always been serviced by Peoples pay significantly less for their gas, and have many options for alternate suppliers. Customers (like myself) who were serviced by Equitable have to pay more and have only one option for an alternate supplier (which is more expensive). I'm writing in the hopes that someone knows more about this situation. I recently filed an informal complaint with the Pennsylvania Utilities Commission. This is what I wrote: __________ I would like to save money by switching my gas supplier. When I access PA Gas Switch [ http://www.puc.pa.gov/consumer_info/natural_gas/natural_gas_shopping/gas_sho... ], it appears that I have 6 options for alternate gas suppliers. After calling several of them, and People's Gas, I have found out that I actually only have one option, and that option is MORE EXPENSIVE than what I am currently paying. I was formerly an Equitable Gas customer, but Equitable was purchased by People's and the merger officially took place in December of 2013, so now I am a People's Gas customer. However, when it comes to switching gas suppliers, I am treated as if I am still an Equitable Gas customer, which only gets one very expensive option (Dominion Energy - https://www.dominionenergy.com ). On both People's and Dominion's website it is clearly stated that People's Gas customers can purchase gas for $4.49 per Mcf but Equitable Gas customers have to pay $6.75 per Mcf. I have questioned People's and Dominion about why this is so and they both claim ignorance. I have also questioned both companies about when I will be able able to take advantage of the much lower People's gas pricing, and they both have said they do not know. Why are my gas "choices" are limited to one option that is more expensive? Why does Dominion Energy get to charge me $2.26 per Mcf more than other People's Gas customers? When will I be a "full" People's Gas customer and be able to take advantage of REAL choice in my gas supplier? Thank You. -Todd Shirley On Jan 14, 2013, at 10:47 AM, Todd Shirley <todd@shirbert.com> wrote:

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_sho...

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 -- REDISTRIBUTE ONLY WITH PERMISSION OF AUTHOR Delivered to: glocalized@gmail.com <https://mail.highlandparkpa.com/mailman/listinfo/neighborhood>

-- "No valid plans for the future can be made by those who have no capacity for living now." - Alan Watts

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Hi Neighbors This is probably my final follow up on this subject. I read through (well, skimmed) the rates and tariffs document I mentioned before and it doesn't answer any of my questions. However, I received an e-mail from Pennsylvania Office of the Consumer Advocate (pasted in below), which does a pretty good job of explaining the situation. Unfortunately, it doesn't offer any solutions, and implies that there are none really. But at least it explains why gas is more expensive for Equitable customers vs. Peoples. It looks like Peoples and Equitable may never fully "merge" and that Equitable customers will have to pay higher rates for the foreseeable future. Bummer.

From: "Beatty, Aron J." <ABeatty@paoca.org> Subject: Gas Service Inquiry Date: February 12, 2014 at 12:03:44 PM EST To: "'todd@shirbert.com'" <todd@shirbert.com>

Good Afternoon Todd,

I have some information regarding your recent inquiry that I hope helps explain your gas service and options. As I understand your email, you are a customer of Peoples –Equitable division. Peoples has not indicated that it intends to merge the operations of Equitable Division into Peoples. This is a pretty common scenario throughout Pennsylvania and the rest of the country. For example, UGI operates three PA regulated gas companies independently. Peoples acquired TW Phillips and maintains that company as a separate division.

With regard to your competitive choices, the PUC does not control which competitive suppliers come into the service territory. Unfortunately I cannot offer an explanation as to why, or why not, any specific supplier will enter the market. The Dominion offer you cite is for 6.99 per Mcf, but it is important to note that it is a fixed rate through March 2015. Depending on where market conditions go, it could be more expensive or less expensive than staying with Peoples -Equitable Division (which passes through its Purchase Gas Costs on a dollar for dollar basis). So while it is true that the Dominion offer is more expensive today, it is a different product in that it is “locked in” for two winters.

As to why Equitable’s Purchased Gas Cost Rate is more expensive than Peoples, there are many factors. One factor is that Peoples has historically had local gas production that was accessible without using the interstate pipeline system, thus saving money. Also, Peoples had local gas storage facilities, the costs of which were included in base rates, while Equitable used storage on the transmission system, which was passed through the Purchased Gas Cost rate rather than in base rates. Our office reviews the gas cost rate filings of each of these companies on an annual basis to ensure that the costs being passed on are consistent with a least cost procurement plan, and that only those gas costs required for reasonable and safe service are passed through to customers.

I hope this helps. If you need any additional clarifications, or have any additional questions, please let me know. I can be reached by email, or call me at 1-800-684-6560. -Aron

Aron J. Beatty Assistant Consumer Advocate

On Feb 7, 2014, at 11:55 AM, Todd Shirley <todd@shirbert.com> wrote:

Hi Everybody

I got a lot of encouraging responses from my original email, so thanks for the support!

One response suggested I contact the Pennsylvania Office of the Consumer Advocate (POCA), which I did. It was a pretty interesting call. I ended up talking to a guy who was pretty cynical. What he said in a nutshell is that deregulation of utilities was never intended to benefit consumers, it was intended to benefit energy suppliers, and the so-called choice that is offered for electricity and gas is basically a scam. The only reason these alternate suppliers exist is to make more money, and they often engage in deceitful marketing practices to trick people into paying more than they would if they stuck to the default suppliers. Yes, he really said this stuff. None of it is really a surprise of course, because I think most of us kind of thought that anyway, but still surprising to hear a state employee say it. He concluded by encouraging me to oppose state senate bill 1121 which will force everyone in PA to chose an "alternate supplier" for electricity and eliminate the default service that state law currently requires. That is a discussion for another e-mali, but you can read a little more about it here if you are interested: http://bit.ly/1l6pp4K

Today I spoke to a man from the Public Utility Commision who was calling in response to my informal complaint. It was a long call, but I'll boil it down to the 3 questions I had asked:

Q: Why are my gas "choices" limited to one option that is more expensive? A: Because of the rates & tariffs Q: Why does Dominion Energy get to charge me $2.26 per Mcf more than other People's Gas customers? A: Because of the rates & tariffs Q: When will I be a "full" People's Gas customer and be able to take advantage of REAL choice in my gas supplier? A: The merger between Equitable and Peoples is not complete and I have no idea when it will be.

What are the "Rates & Tariffs" you ask? They are the rules and regulations that apply to each individual gas distributer. The PUC and the utility companies work together to draft these documents. The one that applies in this case is 85 pages and can be found here: http://www.equitablegas.com/docs/tariffs/pdf/TARRIFF_PA_2014_1_1.pdf

I will be reading this over the next few weeks to see if I can figure anything out. I encourage everyone else to give it a try too! In the end, the guy from PUC actually said to me "It is what it is, you can't do anything about it." I said I thought they were supposed to be advocates for the consumer and he said, no, their job is to interpret state and federal laws regarding utility companies and make sure they are following the laws. Drafting rates and tariffs is a big part of this, and he did point out where I could find this information, so that's something. He is sending me the paperwork to file a formal complaint, which I may do after I read the rates and tariffs document.

Wish I had more hopeful news. If anyone has any ideas or further insight on this matter I'd love to hear it!

-Todd Shirley

On Jan 30, 2014, at 2:26 PM, Todd Shirley <todd@shirbert.com> wrote:

...

Hi Neighbors

I'm picking up this thread from a year ago because the the situation with "energy choice" remains the same as it did then, even though the merger between Peoples Gas and Equitable Gas was supposedly completed in December. Customers in our neighborhood who have always been serviced by Peoples pay significantly less for their gas, and have many options for alternate suppliers. Customers (like myself) who were serviced by Equitable have to pay more and have only one option for an alternate supplier (which is more expensive). I'm writing in the hopes that someone knows more about this situation.

I recently filed an informal complaint with the Pennsylvania Utilities Commission. This is what I wrote: __________

I would like to save money by switching my gas supplier. When I access PA Gas Switch [ http://www.puc.pa.gov/consumer_info/natural_gas/natural_gas_shopping/gas_sho... ], it appears that I have 6 options for alternate gas suppliers. After calling several of them, and People's Gas, I have found out that I actually only have one option, and that option is MORE EXPENSIVE than what I am currently paying.

I was formerly an Equitable Gas customer, but Equitable was purchased by People's and the merger officially took place in December of 2013, so now I am a People's Gas customer. However, when it comes to switching gas suppliers, I am treated as if I am still an Equitable Gas customer, which only gets one very expensive option (Dominion Energy - https://www.dominionenergy.com ). On both People's and Dominion's website it is clearly stated that People's Gas customers can purchase gas for $4.49 per Mcf but Equitable Gas customers have to pay $6.75 per Mcf. I have questioned People's and Dominion about why this is so and they both claim ignorance. I have also questioned both companies about when I will be able able to take advantage of the much lower People's gas pricing, and they both have said they do not know.

Why are my gas "choices" are limited to one option that is more expensive? Why does Dominion Energy get to charge me $2.26 per Mcf more than other People's Gas customers? When will I be a "full" People's Gas customer and be able to take advantage of REAL choice in my gas supplier?

Thank You. -Todd Shirley

On Jan 14, 2013, at 10:47 AM, Todd Shirley <todd@shirbert.com> wrote:

...

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_sho...

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 -- REDISTRIBUTE ONLY WITH PERMISSION OF AUTHOR Delivered to: glocalized@gmail.com <https://mail.highlandparkpa.com/mailman/listinfo/neighborhood>

-- "No valid plans for the future can be made by those who have no capacity for living now." - Alan Watts

-- REDISTRIBUTE ONLY WITH PERMISSION OF AUTHOR Delivered to: pictony@verizon.net <https://mail.highlandparkpa.com/mailman/listinfo/neighborhood> -- REDISTRIBUTE ONLY WITH PERMISSION OF AUTHOR Delivered to: todd@shirbert.com <https://mail.highlandparkpa.com/mailman/listinfo/neighborhood>

-- REDISTRIBUTE ONLY WITH PERMISSION OF AUTHOR Delivered to: todd@shirbert.com <https://mail.highlandparkpa.com/mailman/listinfo/neighborhood>

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