Elimination of Sales Tax on Transportation Charges from the Utility
Transportation charges are approximately 40% of a full service utility bill.
When buying from the utility, the full sales tax is charged on the entire bill.
When buying from Platinum Plus (Platinum), Platinum will charge sales tax on the commodity, but the sales tax on the utility portion of the bill is eliminated.
Retail Choice Credits
Incentives to switch to a marketer are available from the utilities. Keyspan is currently offering a $0.02 discount on the transportation charges. This incentive is only given to customers if they switch to a marketer.
Elimination of Gross Receipts Tax and M.T.A. Surcharges
Utilities must collect GRT and MTA fees.
Platinum does not have to collect GRT or MTA fees.
In New York the savings are about 3.5%, in Long Island the savings is about 2%.
Platinum Plus can offer Alternative Pricing Plans
Utilities only offer monthly variable rates, subject to current market conditions that can be volatile.
Platinum also offers monthly variable rates in addition can give customers the opportunity to lock in prices when the conditions are right for the customer.
Enhanced Customer Services are Available from Platinum Plus
Utilities consider their accounts to be rate payers, while Platinum considers an account to be their valued customer.
Platinum can offer better customer service than a utility. Platinum is a local company.
Energy Deregulation in New York State
Deregulation of the Natural Gas Industry started in 1996. Since then, any retail customer in NYS has had the option to choose a supplier other than the incumbent utility.
Natural Gas deregulation in NYS has been a "quiet success" with no disruption in the delivery process. The utility has and always will maintain the role of "Supplier of Last Resort"
The NYS Public Service Commission (NYSPSC) is encouraging customers to switch suppliers. The NYSPSC has made their goal to have the utilities exit the merchant (commodity supply) function.
Switching to Platinum is seamless. Platinum charges will appear on Keyspan's bill, no extra bills in the mail. Payments are still made to Keyspan. No additional checks to write. Keyspan is still responsible for maintaining the gas lines, reading the meter and responding to emergencies. Platinum simply becomes the commodity supplier, working in partnership with Keyspan. There is no impact on the customer other than they see lower natural gas bills.
