Energy Competition Overview
New York State opened the State’s electric and natural gas industries to competition in the 1990s. Changes in the markets have provided an opportunity for consumers to choose who provides their energy supply – either their utility or a third-party supplier know as an Energy Services Company (ESCO).
Energy Service Companies (ESCOS) Directory
View a compiled list of Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) regulated by the New York Public Service Commission.
Environmental Disclosure Program
Background
Energy services companies (ESCOs) selling electricity are required to provide customers with periodic environmental disclosure statements or environmental disclosure labels in plain language. The labels provide information on the types of fuels used to generate electricity, air emissions resulting from generating electricity, and a comparison of those emissions to a statewide average. This information enables consumers, if they choose to; select an electricity supplier based on environmental quality and resource diversity, a key desired outcome of the Environmental Disclosure Program (EDP). View EDP labels on the NY Generation Attribute Tracking System website.
On November 14, 2008, the Commission issued an Order in Case 94-E-0954 which changed the settlement period for the Environmental Disclosure program. The revised settlement period will now coincide with a calendar year. The next settlement period will cover January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007. Although the settlement period has been extended from rolling six-month periods to a calendar year, Load Serving Entities (including distribution utilities and ESCOs) must continue to provide disclosure labels to customers at least once every six months.
Commission Orders and Opinions
- Order Adopting Change in Settlement Period - November 12, 2008
- Notice Requesting Comments - July 30, 2008
- Commission Order Approving Change to Settlement Period in the Environmental Disclosure Program (May 12, 2004)
- Commission Opinion and Order Adopting Environmental Disclosure Requirements and Establishing a Tracking Mechanism
Additional Information
- Environmental Disclosure Labels by Load Serving Entity - Individual environmental disclosure labels for retail electric suppliers, State Average, ISO Spot Market Index
Staff Contact
Questions/Comments should be directed to the Label Administrator at [email protected].
Home Energy Fair Practices Act (HEFPA) - Residential Consumer Rights
The Home Energy Fair Practices Act (HEFPA) provides residential energy customers with comprehensive protections in areas such as application for service, customer billing, and payment and complaint procedures.
In 2002, HEFPA (Public Service Law Article 2) was amended to apply the same consumer rights and protections to residential electric and natural gas customers of ESCOs and other energy entities as those afforded to utility consumers.
What You Should Know Before Choosing an Electricity or Natural Gas Supplier
New York State opened the state’s electric and natural gas industries to competition in the 1990s. Changes in these markets have provided an opportunity for consumers to choose their supplier of energy.
An Energy Service Company (ESCO) is an entity eligible to sell electricity and/or natural gas to customers using the transmission or distribution system of a utility.
The NYS Department of Public Service (DPS) requires ESCOs to complete an application process before serving customers.
View more information on What You Should Know Before Choosing an Electricity or Natural Gas Supplier.