Complaint Review: Gateway Energy Services

I signed up with an independent energy supplier several years ago shortly after the law was changed to allow
unregulated independent energy suppliers to compete with the utility (in this case National Grid which used to be Niagara Mohawk). I still have the paperwork where Econnergy stated "regardless, your overall cost for energy will be
lower with Econnergy". Well, Econnergy got bought out by Gateway Energy Services several years ago. What I didn't know when this happened was that I now had a GOTCHA energy company!

Looking at my recent heating bill I noticed unusually high costs for both electricity and gas. I got on the
Internet and saw what National Grid charged. I was shocked and angry to find out that Gateway Energy Services was charging 82% more for gas and a smaller yet still shocking amount for electricity. This was the floating rate; the rate
that ANYONE can purchase on the open market at that day's price. How can they possibly reconcile 82% more? That's what I called and complained to the Public Service Commission about. The nice gentleman from the PSC said that's what
deregulation is all about. These deregulated energy companies can charge you $.05 per therm one month and $2 per therm the next for no reason! They are not regulated. The only thing that stops them from gouging is when customers leave.

 So, if you use an independent energy supplier and don't have a fixed rate contract, you better get on the Internet
and compare prices every month. I've paid several hundred dollars extra so far this winter by dealing with this GOTCHA company. And the real problem is that it takes 2 months to switch energy providers. So even though you find out that
you're being ripped off, you'll continue to be ripped off for another 2 months before you can stop it.