Unlike the electric industry, which by law restructured the state's electric industry to promote customer choice
and create a competitive marketplace, natural gas supplier choice is not mandated. Nicor Gas, North Shore Gas and
Peoples Gas voluntarily offer programs that allow their residential customers to choose their gas supplier. The Commission
has approved the choice programs and the utility tariffs that state the terms and conditions of service. As part of the
approval process, the Commission required utilities in conjunction with consumer advocates and alternative suppliers to
develop consumer education to inform their consumers of the choice programs and assist them in understanding them. Customer
participation is also voluntary; eligible customers may choose an alternative supplier or remain with the utility and receive
bundled (delivery and supply) gas service.
The following links provide consumer education information for customers of the following natural gas utilities:
Information about the Nicor Gas choice program:
Residential: http://www.nicor.com/en_us/residential/choosing_your_supplier/default.htm
Non-residential: http://www.nicor.com/en_us/commercial/choosing_your_supplier/default.htm
Information about the Peoples Gas choice program:
Residential: http://www.peoplesgasdelivery.com/home/choice.aspx
Non-residential: http://www.peoplesgasdelivery.com/business/small.aspx
Information about the North Shore Gas choice program:
Residential and non-residential: http://www.northshoregasdelivery.com/business/supplier.aspx
Section XIX of the Public Utilities Act requires alternative gas suppliers offering service to residential and small commercial retail customers to be certified by the Commission. In addition to certification, the law also provides for consumer protections and Commission oversight including consumer complaints.