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SWITCHING QUESTIONS
Q: Is there a fee for switching?
A: No, there is no fee for switching.
Q: What will stay the same?
A: NOVEC will continue to deliver your
electricity. NOVEC will still respond to service
interruptions and will continue to maintain the
poles and wires that bring the service to your
home. You will continue to receive the same
reliable service you are used to with NOVEC,
regardless of what energy supplier you select.
Q: What will be different?
A: You can now choose to buy your
electricity from a different energy provider.
The retail providers are called Competitive
Service Providers or CSPs. Additionally your
bill will look different than bills you have
received in the past.
Q: Do I have to choose a new electricity
provider?
A: No. You will have more choices, but you
are not forced to switch. NOVEC will continue to
provide you with energy.
Q: How will I know which suppliers are
interested in providing service in my area?
A: You can contact NOVEC for a list of
suppliers licensed in our service territory, or
check the NOVEC website at www.novec.com for a
list of suppliers.
Q: Which supplier is cheapest?
A: This is something you must investigate
for yourself. Only you can decide what
competitive offer works the best for you. Ask
each Competitive Service Provider to give you
information on prices, terms and conditions.
Q: How do I know if a supplier is reliable?
A: All providers must be licensed by the
State Corporation Commission in order to sell
energy in Virginia. As part of the certification
process the provider must submit information to
prove it has the technical and financial
capability of providing service to Virginia
consumers, and demonstrate that it has access to
reliable supplies of electricity.
Q: What questions should I ask a supplier
before making a choice?
A: First make sure the State Corporation
Commission has granted a license to the
supplier. And, carefully read all of the
informational materials provided by the
supplier.
● Look for the terms of the offer.
- Is the price
fixed? And, for how long is the price stable?
- Is the price variable?
- If so, how often does
it change -- seasonally, monthly, by day
of the week,
or time of day?
● Are there restrictions on how much energy can be used or when it
is used?
● Is there a contract or written agreement?
- What is its length?
- Does it automatically
renew?
- Will I see it before I
decide?
- How long do I have to
back out if I change my mind?
- Is there a cancellation
fee?
● What is the source of the electricity?
- Where does the supply
come from?
- What is the fuel
source?
- What is its
environmental impact?
- How can I be sure my
electricity gets to me?
● How will I be billed?
- When does the first
bill arrive?
- How many bills and from
whom?
- How quickly is payment
due?
- Can payment be made by
cash, check, electronic transfer, or
credit card?
- What if I can only pay
part of the bill?
- Is there a late payment
fee?
- Is there a budget plan?
● How is customer service handled?
- Is there a local
business office?
- Who do you call if the
service goes out or if there is a billing
problem?
- Is this call free?
- Can I call anytime, day
or night?
- Will personal
information (name, address, phone number) be
released or
sold to a third party?
Q: How does a company become a licensed
competitive service provider?
A: An individual or company interested in
becoming a competitive service provider in
Virginia should contact the State Corporation
Commission about the licensure process.
Information is available on the SCC's website (www.state.va.us/scc)
or by contacting the SCC's Division of Economics
and Finance at 804-371-9295.
Q: Will I have to pay a security deposit if I
choose a new provider?
A: The provider does have the right to ask
for a security deposit but they can not ask for
an amount more than 3 months’ usage as a deposit
or prepayment.
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