Compare Electricity Rates in New York

About National Grid

National Grid is one of the largest energy delivery companies in the Northeast, providing electricity and natural gas service across Upstate New York. National Grid’s service area spans from Niagara Falls to the forks of Long Island, covering urban centers like Buffalo, Syracuse, and Albany along with large rural stretches of the region. National Grid operates the local energy delivery system and handles account management, billing support, service requests, and outage assistance for customers throughout its territory.

National Grid Electricity & Gas Options

National Grid delivers electricity and natural gas within its designated service territory. Like other utilities operating in a deregulated market, customers served by National Grid can also choose an energy service company (ESCO) for their electricity or natural gas supply. Energy rates through National Grid can change based on market conditions, and National Grid publishes its current rates and billing information for customers to review.

Utility vs. ESCO(CPG): What’s the Difference?

Energy Deregulation in New York

New York deregulated its energy market so customers can choose their own electricity and natural gas supplier instead of relying solely on their utility’s default rate. Your utility still handles delivery and outages, but you decide who supplies the actual energy.

When multiple suppliers compete, it drives better pricing and gives customers more plan choices than a single fixed rate set by one utility. Switching is optional but if you don’t choose a supplier, you simply stay at your utility’s default rate, which fluctuates with the market.

To plan ahead, CPG offers fixed-rate plans so your price stays locked in for your full term instead of moving with the market. Pick an energy plan with tenure of 3, 6, 9, or 12 months to match your needs, paired with affordable, renewable-friendly pricing, so you can budget your energy costs with confidence.

FAQs

1. Is National Grid a utility or an ESCO?

National Grid is a utility, not an ESCO. It delivers electricity and natural gas through its distribution system and continues to handle service and emergency needs when a customer chooses a competitive energy supplier.

In New York’s energy-choice market, an ESCO supplies the energy while National Grid remains responsible for delivering it to your home or business.

The simplest way to understand the difference is:

• National Grid: energy delivery, outages, emergencies, and distribution infrastructure
• ESCO: electricity or natural gas supply
• Customer: can compare available supply options and choose whether to switch

National Grid also maintains an authorized supplier list for customers in its service area.

2. How do I know if I can switch energy suppliers in my area?

If you receive eligible electricity or natural gas service from National Grid in New York, you may be able to choose an ESCO for your energy supply. The easiest way to check is with your ZIP code through New York’s Power to Choose tool, which shows available offers for the service area.

National Grid also provides an Energy Supplier List for its Upstate New York service area. Availability can vary by location and by whether you are shopping for electricity or natural gas.

Before enrolling, check:

• Whether the supplier serves your ZIP code
• Whether the offer is for electricity, natural gas, or both
• Whether the rate is fixed or variable
• Contract length and any applicable fees

3. Will switching to CPG affect my power or gas delivery?

No. Switching to CPG changes your energy supplier, not the company that delivers the energy to your property. National Grid states that it continues to deliver electricity or natural gas, respond to service and emergency needs, and provide storm restoration after a customer switches suppliers.

That means you do not need a new power line, gas connection, or separate delivery system because you chose an ESCO.

If there is an outage or another delivery emergency, National Grid remains the utility responsible for responding to it.

4. Is it safe to switch away from my utility’s default rate?

Switching to an ESCO does not change the physical delivery of your electricity or natural gas. National Grid continues to operate the delivery system and respond to outages and emergencies regardless of which eligible supplier provides your energy.

The part that deserves more attention is the supplier contract. Before switching, compare the actual offer with your current supply cost and read the terms carefully.

Look at:

• Fixed or variable pricing
• Contract length
• Early termination fees
• Minimum charges, if any
• How the supplier will bill you

National Grid itself recommends comparing these details before choosing an energy supplier.

5. How much can I actually save by switching suppliers?

There is no fixed savings amount because it depends on your usage and the two supply rates you are comparing. National Grid specifically recommends comparing the supplier’s price with its current supply cost and using your actual monthly usage to estimate the difference.

For example, National Grid’s comparison method uses your recent kWh for electricity or therm usage for gas. You can compare the difference in supply prices and multiply it by your usage for the month.

A lower supplier rate does not automatically mean a lower total bill, so compare the supply rate, contract terms, and any additional charges before enrolling.

CPG currently offers both fixed-rate and variable-rate plans in New York. Its fixed-rate plans are designed to keep the contracted supply rate from changing during the contract term.

6. What happens to my bill if I switch to CPG?

Your bill will still account for National Grid’s delivery service, while the supply portion reflects the energy supplier you choose. The exact billing arrangement depends on the supplier.

National Grid explains that customers may receive one bill with separate supply and delivery charges or two bills, depending on the supplier’s billing arrangement.

The two parts are easier to understand this way:

• Supply charges: what you pay for the electricity or natural gas itself
• Delivery charges: the cost associated with transporting that energy through National Grid’s system

So switching suppliers does not remove National Grid’s delivery charges. It changes the company providing the supply service.

7. Can I switch back to National Grid’s default rate later?

Yes. Choosing an ESCO is not a permanent change. If you decide you no longer want to purchase your energy from a competitive supplier, you can return to National Grid’s supply service, subject to the terms and process that apply to your account and contract. National Grid states that customers who do not choose a competitive supplier continue to receive supply from National Grid.

Before leaving an ESCO, check your current agreement for any cancellation requirements or early termination fees.

Your physical service does not need to be reconnected when you change suppliers because National Grid remains the delivery utility.

8. Does National Grid offer renewable energy plans?

National Grid offers renewable energy options, including its GreenUp program, in which customers can choose to have their electricity generated from renewable resources. It also provides environmental disclosure information showing the fuel sources and emissions associated with electricity supply.

Customers can also compare renewable electricity offers from competitive suppliers. CPG currently lists two renewable electricity options in New York:

• Power Green 100: 100% renewable energy
• Power Green 60: 60% renewable energy

CPG states that these plans are supported by Renewable Energy Certificates, or RECs, purchased and retired in an amount sufficient to match the customer’s annual electricity consumption.

For customers considering a CPG plan, its current New York enrollment page lists fixed-rate terms of 3, 6, 9, 12 months, alongside a variable-rate option.