If you're in business, you know that success is built upon ideas that work. Ideas that meet your business objectives.
As the electric industry is restructured, companies want to know how they can participate in the new energy marketplace. While to date, the changes sweeping the electric industry have not directly benefited small firms, there are now many ways for your business to take advantage of restructuring electric markets, saving both energy and money.
However, to really take advantage of the changing energy marketplace, you should have some idea of what to expect. Your ability to choose an electric service provider, as well as the right rate structure, products and services that will work for you, will be key to helping you reap the benefits of a competitive energy marketplace.
And while there may be uncertainty about just what it will all mean for your business, one thing is certain: knowing what to ask electric service providers will help you make the energy decision that's right for your business.
Questions to Ask ESPs
Electric Service Providers (ESPs) differ in the types of products, services
and terms they offer. To help you with your comparison shopping, ESPs
are required to clearly state their prices and terms. Here are some helpful
questions you may want to ask when evaluating a new ESP:
€ Is the ESP registered with your state's Public Utilities Commission
to serve residential and small business customers?
€ How does the proposed electricity price (price per kilowatt-hour) compare
with current costs?
€ What does the price include? Anything other than electricity?
€ If savings
are offered, are they guaranteed over the life of the contract?
€ What is the length of commitment required by the ESP?
€ If changes are desired, will the ESP charge any additional costs or
termination fees?
€ Will the ESP provide natural gas as well?
The answers to these questions can be useful in helping you shop competitively in the new energy marketplace. With competition replacing regulation as the dominant force, the opportunity is available for your business to experience the benefits of a deregulated energy marketplace. Likewise, the providers of energy who win your business will be the energy companies who realize that their success is dependent upon your success.
What You Can Expect in the New Energy MarketplaceChoice -- you will be able to select the electric service provider of your choice. New Rate Structures -- you can expect to see new rate structures that may impact the way you run your business. New Service Offerings -- a range of energy options, from aggregated usage and billing, to new products and services, to enhance your business operations. New Metering & Billing Services -- particularly if your business has multiple locations. New Energy Efficiency Programs -- efforts to help you use energy in the most efficient way possible. |
Sempra Energy is a Fortune 500 energy services company based in Southern California that serves the largest customer base in the United States. For more information, visit us online at www.sempra.com.
Excerpted with permission from Small Business Success magazine, Volume XII, produced by Pacific Bell Directory in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Partners for Small Business Excellence.