Connectiv Power Delivery, the utility subsidiary of Connectiv,announced its Natural Gas Choice Program for Delaware Tuesday,enabling 15,000 residential and 1,500 small commercial customers tochoose their gas supplier as early as July 1. The program will lastfor two years, at which point it will go under full review todetermine if the freedom to choose a supplier should be offered toall of Connectiv’s gas customers in Delaware.

“This is the first natural gas pilot program in Delaware and weare very excited,” said Ted Caddell, a Connectiv Power Deliveryspokesman. Connectiv serves 100,000 gas customers in New Castle,DE. It also serves 1 million electric customers in South New Jerseyand the Eastern shores of Maryland and Virginia. Gas will startflowing from the new suppliers to pilot program customers Nov. 1.

Connectiv Power Delivery will continue to deliver the gas, readmeters and respond to safety and customer service calls. The LDChas also worked closely with Delaware’s Public Service Commission(PSC) to develop a customer education program which will beimplemented in May. Connectiv said it will work with the PSC toqualify all the third party suppliers.

Caddell said no marketers have signed up as of Tuesday.Suppliers wishing to obtain information about qualifying toparticipate in the program should call Charles Driggs, manager, gasoperations and planning at (302) 429-3154.

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