Rhode Island - Viridian TravelLight · 2 // VIRIDIAN RHODE ISLAND MARKET GUIDE Market Information...
Transcript of Rhode Island - Viridian TravelLight · 2 // VIRIDIAN RHODE ISLAND MARKET GUIDE Market Information...
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UTILITIES SERVED WHAT’S INSIDE
Market Information
National Grid NarragansettEnrollment & Billing
Market Guide
National Grid Narragansett 800-322-3223
JANUARY 2015
ELECTRIC National Grid Narrangansett
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Market Information
VIRIDIAN’S HISTORYViridian began marketing to Rhode Island Customers in January 2015.
MARKET SNAPSHOTAs of January 2014, Rhode Island has a market of approximately 480,000
Residential Customer Equivalents (RCEs). In National Grid’s footprint, about 4,800
have chosen a third-party supplier, representing 2% of the residential accounts in
the state. About 235,000 RCEs have not chosen. In the commercial sector, 53%
of commercial accounts, about 127,200 RCEs, have chosen to be with a third-
party supplier. *Source: DNV-GL retail Energy Policy and Players, January 2014
LOCAL LANGUAGEIn Rhode Island, an alternate electric retail supplier is commonly referred to as
a Competitive Electric Supplier by the utilities.
REGULATORSThe Rhode Island Public Utility Commission (RIPUC) is the regulator, comprising
two distinct regulatory bodies: a three-member Commission and the Division
of Public Utilities and Carriers (DPUC). Although two distinct regulatory bodies,
the Commission and Division generally operate in concert. Both entities may
conduct inquiries, investigations and hearings to effectuate their respective
duties. Both may issue orders that have the force and effect of law.
Source: http://www.ripuc.org/generalinfo/commission.html
2%HAVE CHOSEN A SUPPLIER
53%HAVE CHOSEN A SUPPLIER
47%HAVE NOT CHOSEN A SUPPLIER
98%HAVE NOT CHOSEN A SUPPLIER
RESIDENTIAL MARKET SNAPSHOT*
COMMERCIAL MARKET SNAPSHOT*
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WHAT THE STATE SAYS ABOUT CHOOSING A COMPETITIVE ELECTRIC SUPPLIER?
INFORMATION ABOUT COMPETITIVE ELECTRIC SUPPLY IN RHODE ISLAND“In Rhode Island, a Customer can choose to buy electricity
from a company other than National Grid. This is known
as Energy Choice. A Customer who chooses to purchase
electricity from a competitive supplier will still receive a bill
from National Grid to cover the cost of delivering the electricity
to your home or business.
“You do not have to choose a competitive supplier. You may
or may not save money if you switch to a competitive supplier.
National Grid will assess a one-time billing adjustment to
either credit or charge a Customer leaving standard offer
service.”
Source: http://www.ripuc.org/utilityinfo/electric/faq1a.pdf
CUSTOMER ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES
As with all utilities, it is good practice to recommend that your Customer check if any true-ups or previously bundled charges will appear from the utility when enrolling with a Competitive Electric Supplier.
CONSUMER CHOICE SOURCESCustomers may find a list of Non-regulated Power Producers
Registered with the RIPUC on the RIPUC website. It lists
companies that have appropriately registered with the DPUC
in accordance with Rhode Island General Laws. It offers
addresses and phone numbers of these companies, including
Viridian, but does not provide a comparison of rates.
Source: http://www.ripuc.org/utilityinfo/electric/nonreg.html
GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCECustomers on government assistance for electricity can use
Viridian as their third-party supplier.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Fuel Assistance, also known as the Low Income Home
Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), can provide financial
assistance to income eligible applicants, those who are at or
below 60% of the median income for Rhode Islanders, in
order to help them meet their home energy costs. Customers
must call LIHEAP to qualify. The funds they receive from
LIHEAP will appear as pending credits on bills until those
funds are released. If you have any questions about the
LIHEAP program, please visit the Rhode Island Office of
Energy Resources website.
Source: http://www.energy.ri.gov/lowincome/index.php
Credit Check
In states that have an active POR (Purchase of Receivables)
program, the utility pays independent suppliers like Viridian
for energy even if the Customer does not pay the utility. But
Rhode Island does not have this program in place (non-POR).
Consequently, the enrollment process for Rhode Island
includes a soft credit inquiry (either driver’s license information
plus date of birth, or a Social Security number), to ensure that
the Customer can pay his or her energy bill.
This personal information is kept confidential and has no
effect on the Customer’s credit score. Customers who do not
meet the credit check requirements will receive a letter from
Viridian explaining why their enrollment was not accepted.
ACCOUNTS IN ARREARSIf a Customer’s electric bill is past due and they have set up
a payment agreement with National Grid, it will be reflected
as a separate charge from National Grid on the Customer’s
bill. Viridian would bill at its current rate, with the repayment
charges appearing separately in the utility portion of the bill. If
a Customer does not have a good payment history, they may
be ineligible to become a Viridian Customer.
Budget Billing
National Grid Narragansett’s budget billing plan makes it
easier to manage your household energy payments each
season by taking the “peaks and valleys” out of your energy
bills. The budget plan spreads your projected annual electric
usage cost into 12 “balanced” monthly payments. You still
pay for the exact amount of electricity used annually, but your
consumption rate is divided by 12 to determine your monthly
budget amount.
Source: https://www1.nationalgridus.com/BudgetPlan
UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMSThere are several financial assistance programs offered
through National Grid Narragansett. National Grid‘s Payment
Assistance page explains various circumstances in which
Customers may be eligible for assistance.
2%HAVE CHOSEN A SUPPLIER
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RENEWABLE ENERGY CHARGEThe utility portion of the bill may include a low (usually less than
a dollar) “renewable energy charge” that helps fund energy-
related programs, including energy assistance programs. This is
a standard charge from National Grid regardless of the supplier.
ENROLLMENT AND BILLING
COMPARING RATESYour Customer will likely ask to see a rate-to-rate comparison.
To help you in that conversation, Viridian will include the utility’s
comparison rate, or Utility Price Index on the State Rate sheets,
whenever possible. The Utility Price Index is a blended average
of the utility’s rate that considers the different rate classes and
rates offered by the utility in the month. Viridian uses this average
as a comparative factor to calculate the rebate at the end of
a 3DOM Fixed™ term, if one applies. Utility Price Index rates
may change on a monthly basis depending on the utility. A local
utility’s prices that are offered to their consumers are based on
market information and represent the price to compare for an
indicated time period. Please remember that any comparisons
are strictly estimates, as Viridian’s rates and the Customer’s
usage could vary. Viridian’s rate will replace the supply service
rate on the utility bill. According to DNV-GL Retail Energy Policy,
National Grid provides a Price to Compare that changes every
six months. This rate may be found on the homepage of the
RIPUC website.
THE ENROLLMENT PROCESSTo enroll with Viridian, National Grid Narragansett Customers
must provide their 10-digit Account Number, located on their
bills. Credit checks will be required for new Customers. After
they enroll, the Customer will get a message on their bill about a
supplier switch.
Before you approach a potential Customer to enroll with Viridian,
you’ll first want to make sure you know how to explain enrollment.
The following pages will help you become familiar with the
electric utility bills. You will see a utility bill sample and where to
find the information the Customer will need for enrollment.
FOLLOW COMPLIANCE GUIDELINESFamiliarize yourself with Viridian’s Marketing Do’s and Don’ts,
as well as the Associate Policies & Procedures, to ensure you
acquire your Customers compliantly. Failure to follow these
guidelines may result in disciplinary actions.
VIRIDIAN • RHODE ISLAND MARKET GUIDE // 5
National Grid Narragansett (Electricity) Enrollment & Billing
Page 2 of bill BEFORE enrolling with Viridian
ENROLLMENT
To enroll with Viridian, a National Grid Customer must
provide his or her 10-digit Account Number and
service address located at the top of the utility bill.
RATES
Most National Grid Customers who are eligible for
Viridian’s service will have one of the following rate
codes, listed next to Rate: residential (A-16 or A-60),
small commercial (C-06, G-02, S-05, S-06, S-10 or
S-14) and large commercial (B-32, B-62, G-32, G-62
or X-01).
For rate codes not listed, please contact the utility to
fully understand how choosing a supplier will impact
the Customer’s service.
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Notes
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Notes
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© 2015 VIRIDIAN ENERGY. All rights reserved. Unauthorized copying or reproduction of this product, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. MarketGuide_RI_011615.