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What is deregulation and how does
it affect me?
New York's decision to deregulate its electricity markets
enabled consumers to purchase their electric commodity from
sources other than the utility. It provided the end-user
with the ability to choose its electricity supplier.
What is the New York Independent System Operator
(NYISO)?
The organization that administrates the wholesale electricity
markets and the means by which deregulation was made possible.
It is the clearinghouse for all wholesale transactions in
New York State.
If I purchase my energy supply from an entity other
than the utility, will the quality of the electricity be
any different and will it still be delivered reliably?
The electricity will be the same as if it was purchased
from the utility, and since the utility continues to provide
delivery services reliability will not change.
Who would I contact in case of a power-related emergency?
You would continue to contact your applicable utility to
report any emergency.
What are the ways in which energy supply is purchased
in New York State?
Energy supply may be purchased from any of the following:
1. The local utility;
2. An Energy Service Company (ESCO);
3. Through special contracts, in whole or in part, with
suppliers such as New York Power Authority; or
4. If of sufficient size, directly from the NYISO.
What does it mean to purchase energy supply directly
from the NYISO?
Purchasing electricity directly from the NYISO, as a so-called
Direct Customer, is the means by which you may receive the
wholesale price for your energy supply.
How do I become a Direct Customer of the NYISO?
Fluent Energy will manage all requirements for becoming
a Direct Customer, including the completion of all applications
required by the applicable utility, New York State Department
of Public Service (NYSDPS) and the NYISO, and completion
of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) testing on your behalf.
What is EDI testing?
EDI is the standard by which data is transmitted between
utilities and the Direct Customer.
How long does it take before I can start purchasing
as a Direct Customer?
Typically no more than 120 days once the aforementioned
applications are submitted.
What contracts must I sign in order to become a
Direct Customer?
You will need to sign contracts with the NYISO, NYSDPS and
applicable utility in order to become a Direct Customer
and with Fluent Energy to act as your consultant.
Can I aggregate a large number of small users into
a larger buying group?
Yes. All corporate, institutional, municipal, commercial
or industrial facilities may be aggregated into a single
wholesale Direct Customer purchasing group.
Can I aggregate my loads across utility territories
across New York State?
Yes.
Can I be a Direct Customer if I receive NYPA grants
or special tariff rates?
Yes. Energy requirements that are not served completely
through a NYPA or other special contract may be purchased
from the wholesale market as a Direct Customer.
Where do my energy bills come from as a Direct Customer?
You will continue to receive a bill from the utility for
its delivery charges for each of your accounts. You will
receive a single, calendar-month bill from the NYISO for
your wholesale electricity supply purchases. Fluent Energy
does not bill you for the electricity that you purchase.
If I become a Direct Customer, will my utility bills
change?
They may change depending on your current commodity supplier.
Is a Direct Customer required to pay sales tax?
Sales tax is paid on the wholesale commodity cost, unless
the Direct Customer qualifies for a sales tax exemption.
No sales tax is applied to the utility's delivery bill when
you become a retail access participant.
As a Direct Customer, is Fluent Energy providing
me a product or a service?
Fluent Energy provides the technical and consulting services
that enable you to purchase wholesale energy. We do not
take title to the energy that you purchase. As a Direct
Customer you purchase your electricity directly from the
NYISO. You receive a bill each month for the services we
provide.
Will I have access to my account information?
Yes. Fluent Energy executes an open-book model that provides
you complete access to your procurement-related information.
We provide monthly reports that summarize your accounts
cost information, as well as customized analysis designed
to track agreed-upon data.
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