Having a Choice of Electricity andNatural Gas SuppliersNow You Can ChooseNational Grid customers can choose topurchase electricity or natural gas froma variety of suppliers, known as EnergyService Companies (ESCOs) or GasMarketers (referred to as “suppliers”here).

If you are not within National Grid’selectricity or natural gas service territory,please check with your utility companyabout your options.

You’ll Still Be a ValuedNational Grid Customer.Even if you switch to another supplier,National Grid will continue to deliveryour electricity or natural gas, respondto service and emergency needs, andprovide storm restoration services.

Questions and Answers

What is a supplier?A supplier is a business that provideselectricity or natural gas to customers ina competitive market. To do business inNational Grid’s New York service area,suppliers must be accepted by the NewYork State Public Service Commissionand meet certain National Grid criteria.

How do I find a supplier?Lists of suppliers that are eligible toprovide electricity or natural gas to customers in National Grid’s New Yorkservice area are available by visitingwww.nationalgrid.com or by calling ourCustomer Service Contact Center at 1-800-642-4272. You are free to contactthe suppliers to compare offers andmake a choice.

Is it mandatory that I switchto a different supplier?No. If you do nothing, or don’t want toswitch, National Grid will continue tosupply your electricity or natural gasand associated delivery services.

If I do switch, will I have toworry about the reliability ofmy energy service?No. No matter who supplies the energy,National Grid will still deliver it to youuninterrupted and ensure that sufficientelectricity and natural gas are available.You will continue to have access to ourcustomer service representatives 24

hours a day, 7 days a week, and ourhighly trained crews will still respond toemergencies and power outages.

Whom do I call if there is an emergency?You will continue to call National Gridin case of an emergency such as a poweroutage or natural gas leak.

How will I be billed?Currently, it depends on the supplieryou choose. You may receive two bills—one from National Grid for the deliveryof your natural gas or electricity, andanother from your supplier for the energy itself. Or the National Grid billmay contain a separate line for the supplier’s charges. You may also have the choice of a single bill from NationalGrid or from your supplier (details arestill being discussed with the PublicService Commission).

Will I save money if I switch?Your savings will depend on severalthings:

■ How much you pay now for theelectricity or natural gas you purchase.

■ How much electricity or natural gasyou use.

■ Your agreement with the supplier.

For National Grid’s residential customers in New York

Who will read my meter?National Grid will continue to read yourmeter.

Can a supplier turn off myservice?No. Only National Grid is authorized toconnect or disconnect your service.

Once I choose another sup-plier, may I switch back toNational Grid?Check the terms and conditions of thecontract with your supplier. A customerwho chooses to discontinue service witha supplier and wants to resume receiv-ing energy from National Grid musthave the supplier return the account toNational Grid, or the customer maycontact National Grid directly to havethe account switched.

If a supplier breaks or dissolves its con-tract with you, the supplier must notifyboth you and National Grid, in advance,that it is no longer your supplier. In thiscase, you will be switched to NationalGrid and return to standard NationalGrid rates at your next meter reading.Should a supplier go out of business orbecome ineligible, you will immediatelybe switched to National Grid until youselect another supplier.

Can I switch companiesmore than once? Is there acharge for switching?Check the terms and conditions of thecontract with your supplier. Your firstswitch from National Grid to a supplieris free. National Grid does not currentlycharge for additional switches. However,the Public Service Commission doesallow utilities to charge for additionalswitches under some circumstances andNational Grid may choose to implementthese charges in the future.

How do I enroll in the program?You must contact a supplier. If you andthe supplier agree that you will buy yourenergy from the supplier, the supplierwill then contact National Grid toswitch your account.

If I have questions about mybill, whom do I call?Check the toll-free 800 number on your bill. If your questions relate to thedelivery portion of the bill, please callNational Grid’s Customer ServiceContact Center at 1-800-642-4272. Forquestions about the supply portion ofthe bill, call the supplier at the numberprovided.

Important ConsiderationsShould You Choose toSwitchNational Grid cannot endorse suppliersor advise you whether to participate inour choice programs. However, if youare considering buying electricity ornatural gas from someone other thanNational Grid, make sure to get the fol-lowing information from the supplier:

■ What is the term of the contract?■ Are there minimum bill amounts?■ Are the energy prices fixed, or will

they change from month to month?■ Does the supplier have a customer

service center or website?■ Will the supplier bill you directly, or

will charges be included in yourNational Grid bill?

Resolving Complaints With aSupplierAll suppliers must have a complaint resolution process in place. If you arenot satisfied with the outcome, you maywant to consider assistance throughother dispute resolution services orother legal processes. You may also callthe State Public Service Commission at1-800-342-3377 to request assistance inmediating the dispute.

National Grid300 Erie Boulevard WestSyracuse, NY 132021-800-642-4272www.nationalgrid.com

Copyright © 2002. Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation

NY100910/05

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National Grid, through the transmis-sion and distribution of electricityand natural gas, serves close to 4 million customers across 29,000square miles of Massachusetts,New Hampshire, New York andRhode Island. Its parent company,National Grid plc, is an internationalenergy delivery business located inthe U.K. with principal activities inthe regulated electricity and naturalgas industries.