Natural Gas Basics - Gas Choice in Wisconsin
How Does Natural Gas Get to You Today?
Natural gas can come from four main supply areas: Texas; Oklahoma; Alberta and Nova Scotia, Canada; and offshore from Louisiana.
- ANR Pipeline Co. transports natural gas from the wells to the WPS distribution system.
- At our gate station, ANR Pipeline meters the total amount of gas flowing into the WPS system.
- We distribute natural gas from our city gate station to our customers.
- Any difference between the amount of gas delivered to our system and the amount actually used by customers is reconciled by injecting or withdrawing additional gas from WPS gas storage fields in Michigan.
Changes in the Natural Gas Marketplace
In the 1980s, federal regulators began making sweeping changes to the natural gas industry to replace a regulated marketplace with a competitive one, where consumers have a choice in the purchases they make. These changes followed a trend of similar deregulation in the telecommunications, banking, airline and trucking industries.
Each year, our customers have the opportunity to switch their natural gas service. They simply need to let us know by March 1 if they wish to switch rates for the upcoming November 1.
Natural Gas Options
Natural gas customers of WPS currently have three types of natural gas service to choose from.
- Firm System Sales Service - WPS provides all natural gas service. This includes gas supply, transportation of the gas over interstate pipelines, and delivery of the gas to your business.
- Interruptible System Sales Service - WPS provides all natural gas service. This includes gas supply, transportation of the gas over interstate pipelines and delivery of the gas to your business. However, you agree to have your gas supply interrupted when demand for gas is high. In return, you pay a lower rate than customers with Firm System Sales Service.
- Gas Choice (Gas Transportation) - You buy gas directly from a gas supplier or broker, who arranges delivery of that gas to the WPS distribution system. We use our distribution system to deliver the gas to your place of business.
Buying Natural Gas from Another Supplier
If your business is eligible for Gas Choice, you will probably be contacted by marketers or brokers regarding your natural gas supply. These suppliers purchase gas on the open market on behalf of their customers and then transport it to the local distribution system.
A gas marketer is an independent company that sells gas supply and related services to consumers. Gas marketers may differ from one another in their skills, experience, and products. A list of gas marketers and brokers currently operating in this area is available online. WPS believes every consumer should have options and the ability to choose. Competition in the natural gas marketplace can improve pricing and yield more products and services to meet your business needs.
It's important to remember, however, that with choice comes some risk. While WPS doesn't make a profit on the price of natural gas (we simply pass the cost through to you), marketers do mark up the price of gas. The savings you achieve with an alternate supplier will depend on the amount of gas you use and the terms of your contract with your supplier. Be sure to determine the alternative that's best for you and your business.
Keeping Natural Gas as Your Preferred Fuel
Natural gas is a dependable, versatile energy resource offering many advantages for business and industry. No matter who supplies gas to your company, it remains your best energy value — economical, convenient, safe and clean.
- Economical - When compared with other fuels, natural gas is usually the most economical choice. The Department of Energy reports, for example, that heating space or water with natural gas can cost 5 to 50 percent less than heating with fuel oil or electricity. In addition, most natural gas equipment operates at a high efficiency level.
- Convenient - Natural gas is delivered to your business through a network of underground pipes — eliminating the need to have storage tanks on site.
- Safe - Natural gas is colorless, odorless, tasteless and nontoxic. A special odorant added to the gas helps in identifying gas leaks. Natural gas is also lighter than air, which means it vents easier if a leak does develop.
- Clean - Natural gas is a clean-burning fuel, meaning it doesn't produce the same by-products as coal or oil. Choosing gas is better for the environment, because it helps avoid an increase in air pollutants.