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Why is choice happening?
Our high electric rates are the primary reason that New Hampshire has chosen to open the electric market to consumer choice. Allowing you to choose your own energy supplier creates competition among energy suppliers. This should help drive electric energy prices down over time. An electric market that's open to consumer choice will also give you the power to make choices based on personal concerns, such as price, service or environmental factors.

What's changing in New Hampshire's electric industry?
Until now, all parts of your electric service (generation, transmission and distribution) have been provided by one company - your local electric utility. Now you will be able to choose the energy supplier who will provide the generation (power) portion of your electric service. The distribution - the actual delivery of the electricity to your home - will still be provided by your current local electric utility, which will now be called your electric distribution company.

How can I benefit?
Opening the electric industry to consumer choice lets you make decisions about your electric energy. You have the power to select an energy supplier that offers you energy produced by the methods you prefer. You will also have the power to shop around and find the energy supplier that offers you the best price. The competitive electricity market should also bring about the development of new technologies that offer consumers added benefits.

Will I still receive reliable service?
Yes, you will still receive the same quality service. The delivery of electricity to your home will still be handled by the same utility you currently have. These companies will continue to be regulated by the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission. The cost to buy electric energy will no longer be regulated by the Commission. Only the cost to deliver the energy will be regulated. Reliability and safety will still be monitored and regulated to ensure the same quality of service you have come to rely on.

Can I end my contract with my energy supplier if I'm not satisfied?
Yes, but there may be a fee. If you are unhappy with the service provided or the price charged by your current energy supplier, read your contract to find out what options are available to you. You should always read an energy supplier's contract thoroughly before signing it, to make sure you agree with all the terms.

Can an energy supplier shut off my electricity?
No. An energy supplier can stop providing you with electric energy, but your electricity will not be turned off. Instead, you would receive energy service as a default power service customer until you have chosen a new energy supplier. However, your electricity could be shut off if you do not pay your bills for delivery service, default power service or transition service.

Who do I call if the power goes out?
You should still call your electric distribution company. Regardless of which energy supplier you choose, your electric distribution company will continue to maintain and repair the lines and poles near your home and restore your power after an outage.

I receive fuel assistance.
How will these changes affect my benefits?
The changes that are taking place should not affect any assistance programs that currently provide you with benefits. For more information on fuel assistance, contact your local Community Action Agency or the Commission's Answer Center at 1-800-528-2070.

How do I find out what energy suppliers are available to me?
A list of registered energy suppliers is available on this web site. Or you can call the Answer Center at 1-800-528-2070. Your electric distribution company can also provide you with the Commission's list of registered energy suppliers. However, neither the Commission nor your electric distribution company will recommend an energy supplier to you.

How do I switch energy suppliers?
An energy supplier must receive your permission to switch suppliers in the form of a written, faxed, electronic or verbal authorization. Any verbal authorization you give must be verified by an independent third party (for example, an independent telemarketing company) to ensure that it's correct.

Is there a fee to switch energy suppliers?
There may be a fee. Before selecting a new energy supplier, ask if there is a sign-on fee. Also check with your current supplier. If you have a contract with an energy supplier, and choose to switch before the contract is over, there may be a fee. Call your energy supplier and read your contract to find out about any fees.

When I change my energy supplier, do I have to notify my electric distribution company?
No. You only have to notify the new energy supplier.

Will my electricity be shut off if I do not want to make a choice?
No. If you do not select an energy supplier, you will still receive electricity through either transition service or default power service, though your price may vary. Your electric distribution company will provide you with information about these services.

Will my electric bill change?
Yes. Your bill will show a breakdown of electricity costs, including generation, distribution and the various other charges that are currently included in the total amount you pay each month. You will also see other charges on your bill for costs associated with an income-based Energy Assistance Program, stranded cost recovery and the costs of transitioning to a competitive market.

How many bills will I receive?
You may receive two bills, one from your energy supplier and one from your electric distribution company. Or, you may receive one combined bill as you do today. This will be decided by the energy supplier. If this is important to you, be sure to ask this question when selecting a new energy supplier.

What if I need help paying my electric bill?
A new income-based Energy Assistance Program is being developed by the Commission. For more information, call your electric distribution company or the Commission's Answer Center at 1-800-528-2070.

Will I save money by making a choice?
One of the goals in opening the electric market to consumer choice is to help lower electric bills. While the competitive market may take time to develop, it should lead to lower rates for New Hampshire consumers. Additionally, one of the best ways to reduce your electric bill is to conserve energy. For more information on conservation, call the NH Office of Energy and Planning at 271-2155 or your electric distribution company.

Where are the savings coming from?
The amount of money consumers will save depends on a number of things. Competition should help drive down the cost of generating electricity, and consumer choice allows you to shop around for the lowest price. In addition, consumers can join a buying group, which may be able to obtain a lower price by buying electric energy in bulk.

Can I get a lower price by buying with a group?
You may be able to obtain a lower price if you join with a buying group, which is a collection of customers who buy electric energy together. Some examples of potential buying groups would be civic organizations, cities and towns and non-profit organizations, such as environmental or other interest groups.

How does my choice affect the environment?
The energy choices we make impact the environment, and you may wish to consider those environmental impacts when you choose your energy supplier. Work is underway to require energy suppliers to disclose to you the fuel used to produce their energy (e.g., coal, gas, nuclear, hydro, etc.) as well as the air pollution levels of their energy sources. For more information on how your choices affect air quality and the environment, call the NH Office of Energy and Planning at (603) 271-2155, the Department of Environmental Services at (603) 271-3503 or your energy supplier.