Frequently Asked Questions

We hope to provide answers to your questions in this section. If you are unable to find what you are looking for, please visit our Customer Service page.

Vista Energy Frequently Asked Questions

  • What states does Vista Energy offer service to residential customers?

    Vista offers residential service in CA (PG&E and SoCal), IL (NICOR, People’s Gas and North Shore Gas), WY & NE (Source Gas), NJ (PSE&G) and KY (Columbia Gas of Kentucky).

  • Will I receive a bill from Vista Energy if I switch?

    No, your bill will continue to come from the utility. SoCal customers are the exception, your gas commodity charges will be sent by Vista Energy.

  • Who is Vista Energy?

    Vista Energy Marketing is a natural gas supplier with the expertise and market access needed to lower your natural gas cost and ultimately decrease your cost of doing business. We can offer flexible deliverability and unique pricing options that cater to your individual needs.

  • What is energy deregulation?

    Natural gas deregulation legislation opened up the natural gas and under competitive conditions but the delivery, facilitated by the utility, is a standard regulated charge. It is because of deregulation, that suppliers like Vista Energy have entered the market with competitively priced products. The same goes for the electricity market. Today, it’s likely you have a choice of several natural gas suppliers. You can check with your state’s utility regulator below for a list of certified companies.

  • How can Vista Energy buy natural gas cheaper than a large utility?

    The natural gas wholesale market is extremely competitive with hundreds of producer and suppliers connected by miles and miles of pipelines. A low overhead and aggressive cost acquisition strategy allows Vista to focus solely on finding the cheapest gas available without the bureaucratic constraints of a large government regulated utility. Our strategy is to keep it simple and nimble.

  • What is the Vista Smart Rate Program?

    To learn more about the Vista Smart Rate Program, click here.

PG&E Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is Vista Energy part of PG&E?

    No, Vista has been approved by PG&E to participate in PG&E’s Core Aggregation Program, but we are not part of PG&E.

  • What is the Core Gas Aggregation Program?

    If you are currently buying your gas from Pacific Gas & Electric, you have the option to purchase gas from a 3rd party provider. Thanks to deregulation, Vista Energy Marketing can supply your natural gas. We provide a competitive price made possible through our unique access to wholesale markets. We have the capability to serve all customers in northern California that are served by the PG&E system. Through the Core Gas Aggregation Program, PG&E allows other gas providers to deliver gas to your home through their pipeline. When purchasing natural gas from PG&E, the transportation cost of gas was bundled as one bulk charge. With deregulation, these charges are now separate. Vista supplies you with competitively priced natural gas and PG&E charges you the same transportation fee as before.

  • Who bills me for gas if I switch to a third party provider?

    Through the Core Aggregation program, the transition will be seamless. Your bill continues to come from PG&E. The only difference is that Vista will appear as the 3rd party gas supplier on the final page of your bill.

  • Why does it appear that am I being billed by both Vista and PGE?

    You are NOT being billed for natural gas twice. Most people do not realize that a significant portion of their monthly gas bill is a gas transportation fee. PG&E will still charge a transportation fee to those using a third party supplier. PG&E charges each customer a transportation fee in order to cover costs associated with owning and operating the pipeline. Traditionally, transportation rate represents a large portion of your monthly bill – nearly the value of your gas. The charges on your bill from Vista are for the natural gas only and are different from the PG&E transportation charges. Remember, when PGE was your natural gas provider the transmission costs were into one “bundled” charge.

  • Does PG&E charge additional fees for using Vista Energy?

    PG&E does not assess any “extra” charges to customers who purchase natural gas from Vista Energy. A customer’s bill is first calculated as if the customer remained on bundled service with PG&E. The PG&E procurement (gas) portion of the bill is then subtracted from the bill through a “Procurement Credit”. Finally, a franchise fee is added to the PG&E portion of the bill. Please note that the franchise fee is NOT an extra charge for customers buying their gas from Vista Energy—it is part of the PG&E procurement charge and is collected under Gas Schedule G-SUR to pay franchise fees (roughly 1 percent) on the gas volumes purchased from a CTA.

  • If I buy my gas from Vista Energy, whom do I call in case of an emergency?

    You should continue to call PG&E in case of any emergency involving gas service to your home or business. PG&E will also continue to respond to your safety-related calls, such as gas leaks, and maintain the distribution system leading to your home. You can reach PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.

  • What are my pricing options as a small or medium sized business?

    Vista serves small businesses through the PG&E Core Aggregation Program. Vista assigns a competitive price each month intended to compete with prices offered by PG&E. We can also suggest a fixed price to protect your business in a rising market.

  • What rate class/usage constitutes a small or medium sized business?

    Vista has a number of customers in the small business community ranging from family restaurants to auto mechanics. A majority of the business that Vista Energy Marketing serves are former Pacific Gas & Electric customers that we serve through the PGE Core Aggregation Program. Please contact us if you are interested in an alternative to the local utility.

  • Does Vista offer a CARE program?

    Vista does not offer a CARE program. Being a Vista customer does not mean you cannot participate in the California CARE program. Attached is the link and phone number to join the CARE program if you are not currently participating. If you are currently a CARE participant, joining Vista will not disqualify from your current CARE benefits.

  • Does Vista serve customers in CA outside of the PG&E territory?

    Yes. Vista sells to large commercial and industrial customers at SOCAL and SDG&E. If you would like to learn more please contact us.

  • When will my service start with PG&E after canceling with Vista Energy?

    Your return date to PG&E’s bundled service will be determined based on the meter read cycle. If Vista Energy submits a cancellation request to PG&E and PG&E accepts the disconnect request 15 days before the next meter read date then your service will begin with PG&E on the next meter read date. If the cancellation request is submitted less than 15 days of the next meter read date, then your service with PG&E will begin on the next month’s meter read date.

NICOR Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is Vista part of NICOR?

    No, Vista has been approved to participate in the NICOR Customer Select Program, but we are not part of Nicor. Vista is certified by the Illinois Commerce Commission and must meet certain business and credit standards. This includes a code of conduct related to telemarketing practices, handling of customer complaints, maintaining adequate gas supply and pipeline capacity, and obeying truth-in-advertising laws.

  • What is Customer Select?

    In the Nicor Gas Customer Select program, you have the ability to purchase your natural gas from another supplier. Customer Select is all about choices. It’s a voluntary, free program offered by Nicor Gas that allows you to choose your natural gas supplier. As of March 1, 2002, all Nicor Gas residential and business customers are eligible to participate in Customer Select, a program that allows you to choose your natural gas supplier.

  • Who do I call about a problem or emergency?

    Call Nicor Gas at 1-888-Nicor4u (1-888-642-6748). As always, Nicor is responsible for the safe and reliable delivery of your gas. If you have a question or problem with the bill for your natural gas supply, you should call Vista Energy directly.

  • Can I still use Nicor Gas Budget Plan and electronic funds transfer under Customer Select?

    Yes, although your Budget Plan amount will only apply to the utility delivery charges on your bill. If you’d like to sign up for either one of these options, call Nicor at 888.Nicor4u (888.642.6748) or check the Budget Plan box on your payment stub.

  • Who bills me for gas if I switch to Vista Energy?

    There is no increased cost to switch to Vista Energy from Nicor Gas. However, you will see two new line items on your Nicor Gas bill if you choose to participate in Customer Select – a Customer Select Charge and a Transportation Service Credit. The Customer Select Charge recovers the costs from pipelines to assist in the daily balancing of gas supplies on Nicor Gas’ system. The Customer Select Charge is not an additional cost for Customer Select participants – customers buying their gas from Nicor Gas pay this charge as part of their overall Gas Supply Charge. The Customer Select Charge is billed to customers based on usage. The rate may change each month and it is filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission. The Transportation Service Credit is a credit for certain costs that are included in our distribution rates that are not incurred by Customer Select customers – such as some uncollectible expenses and storage costs. It is credited to customers based on usage.

  • What happens if I move?

    If you move within Nicor Gas’ service territory, your Customer Select contract will move with you. If you move outside Nicor Gas’ territory, your participation in Customer Select automatically ends.

  • When will my service start with Nicor after canceling with Vista Energy?

    Your return date to Nicor’s service will be determined based on the meter read cycle. If Vista Energy submits a cancellation request to Nicor and Nicor accepts the disconnect request 15 days before the next meter read date then your service will begin with Nicor on the next meter read date. If the cancellation request is submitted less than 15 days of the next meter read date, then your service with Nicor will begin on the next month’s meter read date.

  • How does Vista beat the utility?

    Natural gas has been deregulated in many parts of the country. Thanks to deregulation, we can supply your natural gas with pricing structures the utility cannot match. Vista has the experience to buy the natural gas in the competitive open wholesale market and structure the purchases to match a fixed, or variable, or unlimited usage sales structure. We then deliver your natural gas to your local utility system straight to your home. The switch to Vista is easy. There are no setup or connection fees. The utility will continue to charge you for gas transmission, but Vista will give you the opportunity to save on your natural gas. The natural gas wholesale market is extremely competitive with hundreds of producer and suppliers connected by miles and miles of pipelines. A low overhead and aggressive cost acquisition strategy allows Vista to focus solely on finding the cheapest gas available without the bureaucratic constraints of a large government regulated utility. Our strategy is to keep it simple and nimble.

Black Hills Energy Frequently Asked Questions (Nebraska)

  • What is the Choice Gas Program?

    The Choice Gas Program is an annual program administered by Black Hills Corporation that gives customers the opportunity to choose a natural gas supplier and Pricing Option that best suits their needs.

  • What is the benefit of the Choice Gas Program?

    In a word, “choice”. Because the Choice Gas Program allows customers to choose their natural gas Supplier and Pricing Option, they have an opportunity to manage gas supply price risk and volatility to meet their individual needs. The Choice Gas Program selection period in Nebraska begins April 15th, 2016, and ends, April 28th, 2016.

  • How do customers select their Supplier?

    Customers can automatically roll over to their current Supplier and Pricing Option ( not recommended since you may be paying a higher roll over rate), or submit a selection through the Internet, by telephone, directly through their chosen Supplier, or by U.S. Mail (these choices are collectively referred to as “accepted submission methods”).

  • What constitutes a ‘valid’ selection?

    A selection is considered valid when a customer submits their choice through one of the accepted submission methods, on or before, April 28th, 2016. It is important to note that confirmation codes are time-sensitive, therefore customers should check with their Supplier on its expiration date. The first valid selection received will be considered the customer’s final choice. Customers should record their verification number if submitting their selection via the Internet or telephone. Mailed selection forms must be signed by the customer to be considered valid.

  • What if a customer does not make a selection?

    If a valid selection is not submitted on or before, April 28th, 2016, the customer’s account automatically rolls over to their current Supplier and Pricing Option, at a price to be determined by the Choice Gas Supplier. If a customer rolls over any Choice Gas Pricing Option, the final rate will be made publicly available no later than 15 days after the Selection Period ends. The natural gas commodity price that Choice Gas rollover customers will be charged will not carry over from the previous year unless agreed to by the Supplier. We encourage customers to participate in the selection process to ensure they know the price of the gas commodity they will receive for the upcoming year.

  • If a customer intends to roll over their selection, what happens if that Supplier has exited the Program or discontinued that Pricing Option?

    Customers will be notified if their current Supplier exits the Choice Gas Program or if their Supplier discontinues a customer’s Pricing Option. Customers will default to the Pass-On Rate [Regulated Rate] unless a new Pricing Option is selected from the current Supplier, or a new Supplier and Pricing Option is selected during the selection period. The Pass-On Rate [Regulated Rate] will continue to be the default option for customers who did not select a Choice Gas Supplier for the preceding year.

  • What happens if a customer moves during the Choice Gas Program year?

    If a customer moves from one service address to another, or a new customer moves to a service address within the Choice Gas Program territory, that customer will continue with the Supplier previously selected for that address. New construction customers will be provided with a selection packet via U.S. Mail, and if that customer does not make a selection, they will default to the Pass-On Rate [Regulated Rate].

  • Does the Choice Gas Program affect the quality of distribution service?

    No. Regardless of the customer’s selection, Black Hills Energy will continue to provide meter reading and billing services, respond to gas leaks, and ensure the safety and reliability of the gas supply to Choice Gas Program communities.

  • What cities are served?

    Cities in Nebraska participating in the Choice Gas Program in Nebraska are divided into two divisions Central and Western. CENTRAL REGION AINSWORTH ALBION ALMA AMHERST ANSLEY ARAPAHOE ARCADIA ARCHER ATKINSON AURORA AXTELL AYR BARTLEY BASSETT BATTLE CREEK BEAVER CITY BELDEN BELGRADE BENEDICT BENKELMAN BERTRAND BERWYN BIG SPRINGS BLADEN BLOOMFIELD BLOOMINGTON BLUE HILL BRADSHAW BRADY BROKEN BOW BRULE BURWELL BYRON CAIRO CAMBRIDGE CAMPBELL CARLETON CEDAR RAPIDS CENTRAL CITY CHAMPION CHAPMAN CHESTER CLARKS CLAY CENTER CLEARWATER COLERIDGE COMSTOCK COZAD CREIGHTON CROFTON CURTIS DANBURY DANNEBROG DAVENPORT DESHLER DONIPHAN EDGAR EDISON ELGIN ELM CREEK ELSIE ELWOOD ELYRIA EMMET EMMETT ENDERS EUSTIS EWING EXETER FAIRFIELD FAIRMONT FARNAM FOSTER FRANKLIN FULLERTON FUNK GENEVA GENOA GIBBON GILTNER GLENVIL GOTHENBURG GRAFTON GRAND ISLAND GRANT GREELEY GUIDE ROCK HAIGLER HAMPTON HANSEN HARDY HARTINGTON HARVARD HASTINGS HAZARD HEARTWELL HEBRON HENDERSON HERSHEY HILDRETH HOLBROOK HOLDREGE HOLSTEIN HORDVILLE HOSKINS HUMPHREY HUNTLEY IMPERIAL INAVALE INDIANOLA INLAND INMAN JOHNSON LAKE JUNIATA KEARNEY KENESAW LAMAR LAUREL LAWRENCE LEXINGTON LINDSAY LITCHFIELD LONG PINE LOOMIS LOUP CITY MADISON MARQUETTE MASON CITY MAXWELL MC COOK MCCOOK MEADOW GROVE MILLIGAN MINDEN MOOREFIELD NAPONEE NELIGH NELSON NEWMAN GROVE NEWPORT NORFOLK NORTH LOUP NORTH PLATTE O’ NEILL OAK OAKDALE ODESSA OGALLALA ONEILL ORCHARD ORD ORLEANS OSMOND OVERTON OXFORD PALMER PARKS PAXTON PETERSBURG PHILLIPS PIERCE PILGER PLAINVIEW PLEASANTON POLK PRIMROSE RAGAN RANDOLPH RAVENNA RED CLOUD REPUBLICAN CITY RIVERDALE RIVERTON ROSCOE ROSELAND RUSKIN SAINT EDWARD SAINT PAUL SARGENT SARONVILLE SCOTIA SEWARD SHELTON SHICKLEY SMITHFIELD SPALDING STAMFORD STANTON STRANG STROMSBURG STUART SUTHERLAND SUTTON TRUMBULL UPLAND UTICA VENANGO WACO WAUNETA WAUSA WESTERN WILCOX WILLOW ISLAND WINSIDE WISNER WOOD RIVER YORKWESTERN REGION ALLIANCE ANGORA BAYARD BRIDGEPORT BROADWATER CHADRON CHAPPELL CLINTON CRAWFORD DALTON GERING GORDON GURLEY HAY SPRINGS HEMINGFORD HENRY KIMBALL LEWELLEN LISCO LODGEPOLE LYMAN MINATARE MITCHELL MORRILL OSHKOSH POTTER RUSHVILLE SCOTTSBLUFF SIDNEY WHITNEY

Black Hills Energy Frequently Asked Questions (Wyoming)

  • What is the Choice Gas Program?

    The Choice Gas Program is an annual program administered by Black Hills Corporation that gives customers the opportunity to choose a natural gas supplier and Pricing Option that best suits their needs.

  • What is the benefit of the Choice Gas Program?

    In a word, “choice.” Because the Choice Gas Program allows customers to choose their natural gas Supplier and Pricing Option, they have an opportunity to manage gas supply price risk and volatility to meet their individual needs. The Choice Gas Program selection period in Wyoming begins April 8th, 2016, and ends, April 28th, 2016.

  • How do customers select their Supplier?

    Customers can automatically roll over to their current Supplier and Pricing Option, or submit a selection through the Internet, by telephone, directly through their chosen Supplier, or by U.S. Mail (these choices are collectively referred to as “accepted submission methods”).

  • What constitutes a ‘valid’ selection?

    A selection is considered valid when a customer submits their choice through one of the accepted submission methods, on or before, April 28th, 2016. It is important to note that confirmation codes are time-sensitive, therefore customers should check with their Supplier on its expiration date. The first valid selection received will be considered the customer’s final choice. Customers should record their verification number if submitting their selection via the Internet or telephone. Mailed selection forms must be signed by the customer to be considered valid.

  • What if a customer does not make a selection?

    If a valid selection is not submitted on or before, April 28th, 2016, the customer’s account automatically rolls over to their current Supplier and Pricing Option, at a price to be determined by the Choice Gas Supplier. If a customer rolls over any Choice Gas Pricing Option, the final rate will be made publicly available no later than 15 days after the Selection Period ends. The natural gas commodity price that Choice Gas rollover customers will be charged will not carry over from the previous year unless agreed to by the Supplier. We encourage customers to participate in the selection process to ensure they know the price of the gas commodity they will receive for the upcoming year.

  • If a customer intends to roll over their selection, what happens if that Supplier has exited the Program or discontinued that Pricing Option?

    Customers will be notified if their current Supplier exits the Choice Gas Program or if their Supplier discontinues a customer’s Pricing Option. Customers will default to the Pass-On Rate [Regulated Rate] unless a new Pricing Option is selected from the current Supplier, or a new Supplier and Pricing Option is selected during the selection period. The Pass-On Rate [Regulated Rate] will continue to be the default option for customers who did not select a Choice Gas Supplier for the preceding year.

  • What happens if a customer moves during the Choice Gas Program year?

    If a customer moves from one service address to another, or a new customer moves to a service address within the Choice Gas Program territory, that customer will continue with the Supplier previously selected for that address. New construction customers will be provided with a selection packet via U.S. Mail, and if that customer does not make a selection, they will default to the Pass-On Rate [Regulated Rate].

  • Does the Choice Gas Program affect the quality of distribution service?

    No. Regardless of the customer’s selection, Black Hills Energy will continue to provide meter reading and billing services, respond to gas leaks, and ensure the safety and reliability of the gas supply to Choice Gas Program communities.

  • What cities are served?

    Cities served by the Choice gas program in Wyoming are divided in three Divisions, please see chart below to see the participating city and the division. Casper Division Arapahoe Bairoil Bar Nunn Casper Edgerton Ethete Evansville Ft. Washakie Hanna Hudson Jeffrey City Lander Laramie Medicine Bow Midwest Mills Pavillion Rawlins Riverton Saratoga Shoshoni SinclairGillette Division Gillette Moorcroft Newcastle Upton Wright Torrington Division Douglas Ft. Laramie Glendo Glenrock Guernsey Hartville Lingle Lusk Torrington Wheatland

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