Adams Electric Cooperative and the 12 other rural electric cooperatives in Pennsylvania have allowed their members to choose their power supplier ever since 1999. In order for power supply choice to work, alternative electric suppliers (also called electric generation suppliers or EGSs) must agree to serve co-op territories.
There are currently no EGSs for Adams Electric members to choose, because no EGSs have chosen to serve in Adams Electric's service territory, or for that matter, the territory of any other rural electric cooperative in Pennsylvania.
If electric generation suppliers decide to serve Adams Electric Cooperative territory, members will be notified.
Some Helpful Resources on Customer Choice
The Pennsylvania Utility Choice Website: www.utilitychoice.org
The Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate: www.oca.state.pa.us
Questions & Answers About Choice
Q. Why didn't any electric generation supplier choose to serve in Adams Electric's territory?
A. Since no electric generation suppliers have chosen to serve in Adams Electric's service territory, we can conclude that there are sound business reasons for that decision. The electric generation suppliers recognize that the "price to compare" or cost per kwh is very competitive between their rates and the co-op's rates.
Typically, the rural areas are mostly residential accounts and not large industrial or commercial accounts that would be more profitable to serve. Large commercial or industrial accounts are the most desirable loads.
The electric utility market is constantly changing under deregulation. Some electric generation suppliers may wait for the market to mature before investing in new service territories. Initially, most suppliers competed in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh market areas, where electricity prices were much higher than in south central Pennsylvania.
Q. What about choice for non-members?
A. Just like co-op members, most customers of for-profit electric distribution companies (GPU, PP&L and Allegheny Power) had a choice starting in 1999 and continuing into the future. There are EGSs that have signed to serve the service territories of the for-profit distribution companies. Customers of for-profit electric distribution companies should contact those companies directly for assistance in choosing an EGS.
Q. Can a non-member buy electricity from Adams Electric?
A. At the present time, a non-member cannot purchase electricity directly from Adams Electric Cooperative, because the co-op is not an EGS.
Q. Who do I call if I have other questions?
A. If you are an Adams Electric member and would like more information about power supply choice, please call Adams Electric at 1-888-232-6732.