Choose your supplier

Under the GTS program, customers have the option of purchasing their gas from a supplier. We will continue to deliver the natural gas to your facility, but the purchase function will be handled by the company of your choice. This method of natural gas purchasing is similar to the telecommunications industry where you choose a long distance provider.

There might be an opportunity to save money on your gas cost. Suppliers are not subject to state utility commission pricing regulations and can price their gas differently than we do. Under federal and state regulations, gas costs are passed through to all sales customers on an average basis, dollar-for-dollar. We are not permitted to "mark-up" gas costs. We derive our income from the delivery of gas through our distribution system to both sales and transportation customers. You are our customer whether you purchase traditional sales service from us, or choose to purchase it from a third-party supplier.

First, there's the cost of the natural gas itself. We refer to this as the "commodity cost." Next comes the "transportation cost". This is the cost of delivering the natural gas from the supplier or producer to our distribution system. It includes fixed or demand charges to reserve the pipeline capacity needed to transport and store your gas for when you need it. And lastly, we have the "distribution cost." This is the cost of delivering gas to your facility. It includes not only the actual delivery costs, but also such items as pipeline maintenance, system upgrading, meter reading, and billing.

When you enter the GTS program, you are essentially purchasing the gas or commodity from a supplier of your choice, rather than us. Transportation costs remain the same, as do the costs associated with the distribution service.

Choose a supplier. You may contact us for a list of qualified suppliers and they are listed on our website. Your chosen supplier will forward the necessary paperwork to you for your approval. This will include a Gas Transportation Service Agreement between you and us, detailing your service options, volume requirements, service address, account contact information, and the name of your supplier. You may also be required to execute an agreement with your supplier. Your supplier is responsible for returning the Gas Transportation Service Agreement to us for further processing.

When you enter the GTS program, you are essentially purchasing the gas or commodity from a supplier of your choice, rather than us. Transportation costs remain the same, as do the costs associated with the distribution service.

Costs vary from supplier to supplier. This is something you would need to discuss with potential suppliers.

We are a regulated utility required to price gas on an average basis to all customers. We also must include certain fixed charges relative to reliability of delivery. By purchasing gas from another supplier, you can tailor the level of service reliability and your supplier can target particular gas supplies to satisfy your needs.

Yes. You will receive one bill from us and one from your supplier. Your Columbia bill will reflect your transportation charges or the cost of delivering the gas to your facility. This could also include a commodity charge from us, which occurs when your supplier falls short in delivering enough gas to your facility. The bill from your supplier will reflect the cost of the gas commodity delivered to us on your behalf.

The possibility does exist. However, there are safeguards and if you feel you would like to take advantage of them, you may contract with us to purchase Backup Service or you may install an alternate fuel source. We suggest you talk to your local Columbia Gas Representative as well as any potential suppliers about these options.

We may provide you gas under our normal system supply rate schedules provided that:

• Your return to system supply does not negatively impact the rate non-transportation customers pay.
• You are willing to absorb any increased costs caused by your return to sales service.
• You give proper notice per the Gas Transportation Service Agreement and tariff.

Be sure you fully understand any arrangement that you agree to and understand the terms of the agreement you sign.

Once you have chosen a supplier, that supplier will provide you with the necessary paperwork to participate and enroll in GTS. Columbia Gas will process the contract once we receive the agreement and all of the necessary information from you and/or your supplier.