If you are a new utility customer, you may be required to receive your initial utility bill with the regulated rate company in your area before considering other options with competitive retailers.

Once your utility service is connected, you can choose to sign up for a variable or fixed rate with a utility retail company offering contract terms in your area. You can also choose not to sign a contract and remain with the default supply provider and pay the regulated rate, which fluctuates every month and is reviewed and approved by the AUC.

  

The Utilities Consumer Advocate has a cost comparison tool that can help you with making a choice about your retail billing service provider.

Whether you choose a regulated or competitive retailer, the distribution company that delivers your electricity and natural gas will not change from one retailer to the next. The AUC regulates the delivery portion of your bill and sets the rates based on your service area. Find out more about how rates are determined. 

Due to the highly capital intensive nature of building infrastructure to deliver power and gas to homes it is not feasible from an economic or environmental perspective to build and operate duplicate facilities in the same area. Accordingly, the AUC regulates the delivery of electricity and natural gas to act as a surrogate to competition to ensure fair rates and appropriate service levels.

If you require new utility infrastructure or changes to your existing infrastructure you can contact the distributor in your area which can be determined by entering your postal code on the Utilities Consumer Advocate's website.