Continuing to ramp up for a March 1 launch date, Nicor Gas said Wednesday that natural gas marketer participation in its Customer Select® program in Illinois is up to 11 suppliers. On March 1 the pilot program becomes permanent and Nicor Gas customers will be able to voluntarily choose their natural gas supplier. Customers who elect not to join the program can stay with Nicor Gas as their supplier.

“Supplier participation is off to a great start,” said John Madziarczyk, director of rate projects for Nicor Gas. “Competition and free markets benefit customers, and the more suppliers that participate the greater number of choices there will be.”

After running for four years as a pilot program, the Illinois Commerce Commission on Jan. 3 granted final approval of Customer Select as a permanent program. Beginning in mid-February, Nicor Gas will mail all of its two million customers a Customer Select information package containing the customer’s estimated annual gas usage, a detailed brochure explaining the program, and a listing of participating suppliers and contact information for each. The company added that there will be a marketing and advertising blitz as well.

Nicor Gas said gas suppliers will target either residential customers or business customers or a combination of both. Suppliers can also sign on to become a qualified natural gas supplier in the Customer Select program at any time.

Nicor Gas said five of the 11 suppliers have chosen to not actively solicit customers at this time. Residential suppliers that have chosen to be listed in Nicor Gas’ information package include: Corn Belt Energy Corp.; MxEnergy Inc.; Nicor Energy; Peoples Energy Services; and Santanna Energy Services. Business suppliers are: Corn Belt Energy Corp.; MxEnergy Inc.; MidAmerican Energy; Nicor Energy; Peoples Energy Services; and Santanna Energy Services.

“We were looking for a level of participation that would give both residents and businesses a solid selection of suppliers to choose from, and it appears we’ve accomplished that goal,” adds Madziarczyk. “The expansion of Customer Select to all of our customers is an important step for Illinois’ energy industry.”

Naperville, IL-based Nicor Gas serves two million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago.

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