Frequently Asked Questions:

What is Intelligent Energy®?
Intelligent Energy® (known as Infinite Energy, Inc. in the Southeast) is a natural gas provider for industrial, commercial, and residential customers in seven New York utility areas (Central Hudson, Con Edison, KeySpan Long Island, KeySpan New York City, National Fuel Gas, National Grid and Orange & Rockland), and all four New Jersey utility areas.

What does Intelligent Energy® do?
Intelligent Energy® purchases natural gas supplies for customers in New York and New Jersey and transports these supplies to our customers' utility for delivery to their home or place of business

What is Infinite Energy?
Infinite Energy purchases natural gas supplies for customers in Georgia and Florida and transports these supplies to our customers' utility for delivery to their home or place of business.

How long have you been in business?
We have been doing business as Intelligent Energy® since August 2004. As Infinite Energy we have been doing business since 1994. We sell over $600 million in natural gas annually.

How is Intelligent Energy® different from my utility?
Most utilities offer one pricing arrangement for their customers and you are never sure what it will be. With Intelligent Energy® you have a wide range of pricing options including some that provide the ability to select a price that will not change for 3, 6, 12, or 36 months. That's the Intelligent Choice. As we continue to determine customer needs there will be additional options. Our sophistication and the competitive environment we bring to the Northeast gives out customers 100% reliable gas supply priced the way they want it.

Why would I want a fixed rate?
If someone told you in January of 2005 when gasoline prices averaged $1.87 per gallon that they would sell you all of the gasoline you needed for the next three years at $2.25 per gallon, you may not have taken that deal. Six months later gasoline was well over $2.25 and it reached over $3.00 per gallon in May of 2006. Its hard to find a supplier in the Northeast offering a 36 month (three year) fixed rate. That's one Intelligent Choice available to you right now.

Why does the utility company allow this? Will They be Angry if I Switch?
Energy regulation in your state does not allow your gas utility to make a profit on the natural gas they purchase for you. Instead all utility profits come from the physical delivery of gas within the utility area. In other words they are permitted to make profits only on the pipes they install and maintain to serve you. When Intelligent Energy® sells natural gas to you it has no impact on your utility profits. In fact we make their job easier and less costly. Not only does your utility company allow Intelligent Energy® to sell you natural gas - as good business people they promote this type of energy competition.

What does Intelligent Energy® get out of this?
Intelligent Energy's® skill and experience in gathering, storing, and transporting natural gas allows us to keep our costs down and profit from our expertise. We have to be good to succeed in the competitive energy market where the value and choices we bring to our customers must keep them secure and satisfied.

Why can't Intelligent Energy® handle both my supply and delivery?
Utility companies are "natural" monopolies - that's actually a good thing! Imagine what it would be like if a dozen energy sellers were digging up your streets to bury gas pipes for their customers. That kind of thing actually happened over a century ago and the governments had to step in and find a way to manage the chaos. The result - gas utilities regulated by the state. The utilities handle local delivery and the state regulators assure that their pricing is fair and equitable. We can't manage the utility's pipes, but we can purchase natural gas for our customers and arrange for the utility to deliver it to your meter with complete reliability.

Why can't I still get just one bill?
There are some utilities that allow Intelligent Energy® to include the cost of their delivery service on our bill. If that's the case you can still get one bill, but it will come from Intelligent Energy®. If the utility does not allow this, you will generally get two bills. We hope this is not too inconvenient, but we are trying to develop a good relationship with our customers - we want you to know who we are and what we can do for you.

Will the quality of gas/service I receive be different?
No. The natural gas we purchase for our customers comes from the same sources as the gas utilities use - generally the Gulf area, mid-continent, and Western Canada. We use the same storage fields and transport it in the same interstate pipelines that utilities use. Our gas quality standards are the same as the utilities. Your utility will still read your meters, maintain your gas pipes, and respond to emergencies - that's what you pay them for.

Can Intelligent Energy® shut off my gas?
No, the control of gas service at your home or place of business remains with your utility. Regulators have assured that your gas supply will be continuous even if your relationship with Intelligent Energy® were to end. You maintain the same consumer protections you have with your utility.

If I switch to Intelligent Energy®, can I decide later to return to the utility?
Yes. If for any reason you decide that you prefer having your gas supplied by the utility, you can switch back subject to the terms of your Intelligent Energy® agreement.

What will happen if Intelligent Energy® goes out of business?
In this unlikely situation, you may have an opportunity to select another supplier. If you don't have that opportunity or if you decide not to select another supplier your utility will provide the gas you use.

What should I do if I smell gas?
If you detect a strong odor of gas in your home or place of business you should leave immediately and call your utility from a safe location.

When I get my gas bill I see my consumption in "therms" or "CCFs" - what do these mean?
Your meter measures natural gas in intervals of one hundred cubic feet (CCF). If you use an average of 100 CCF per month (typical for a residential heating customer) that's enough natural gas to fill a ball with a diameter if nearly 27 feet. Some utilities use CCFs to calculate your bill, but most use therms. A therm equals 100,000 BTUs (you generally hear about BTUs when you buy a window mounted air conditioner). A BTU is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of a pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. There is a less complicated way to think about this - 1 CCF of natural has equals roughly 1.03 therms.