Natural Gas Customer Choice permits you to shop for gas for your home or business from a diverse market of natural gas suppliers. You can select an alternative gas supplier (AGS or supplier) or do nothing and continue to get your natural gas from your local gas utility under existing regulated rates.
If you are a natural gas residential or business customer of Michigan Gas Utilities - MGU, Consumers Energy Company, DTE Gas Company or SEMCO Energy Gas Company (SEMCO) you can choose the company that sells you natural gas. In the past, your local gas utility has both sold you the natural gas and delivered it to you. The utilities will continue to deliver natural gas to you but you may choose either an AGS or your local gas utility to sell you natural gas.
Consumers Energy's program began April 1, 2001, and DTE Gas Company began April 1, 2002. MGU's program started June 1, 2002. SEMCO's progam started October 1, 2002. Suppliers of natural gas may contact you to sign you up in any of these utilities' service territories.
You can select the natural gas supplier of your choice or do nothing and continue to get your natural gas supplied by your local gas utility under
regulated rates. The rates of AGSs are not regulated. Your natural gas will continue to be delivered by your local gas utility regardless of which natural gas supplier you choose. If you smell gas or have other safety related concerns about your natural gas service, you should contact your local gas utility, just as you have done in the past.
If you wish to consider a new supplier, you should shop around, just as you would for any product. Look at the MPSC's, your local gas utility's and suppliers' web sites. Call suppliers and get their prices and contract terms. Read all information provided by the supplier before you sign the contract.
Look at the Customer Choice program of the gas utility that serves you currently. You will be able to get a description of the program, a comparison of residential rates, a list of licensed suppliers and answers to frequently asked questions.