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Natural Gas - For Business CustomersComparing gas prices | Comparing gas suppliers | Pricing options and strategies | Gas Management Services | Contact us | Price quote | Natural Gas unbundling | How Hurricanes can affect natural gas supply and your business | FAQs | Glossary | Links Sure, natural gas is invisible. But your natural gas provider shouldn't be. Of course FPL Energy Services (FPLES) has a reliable supply of gas and competitive pricing, but we will also provide you with unparalleled customer service, industry advice and flexible buying options designed to meet your specific business needs. FPL Energy Services has the financial backing to ensure that we can supply your business long – term. Best of all, we're a Florida-based company; we understand the weather patterns and the nuances of this gas market and we have experienced gas specialists who will personally assist you. So, whether you're a small business owner or a large industrial customer, we will work hard to make a difference in your bottom line. Comparing gas prices
At FPL Energy Services our pricing covers these charges and we will spell out in your contract any exceptions. Many charges may have interchangeable names or no exact industry standard measure so comparing a price can still be very confusing. Our trained gas specialists are available free of charge to help you understand what your current or new contract covers or help you compare offers. Comparing gas suppliersWhile price is certainly an important driver, you also want to ensure that you’re doing business with a local company that is financially sound and can provide reliable gas supply. Things to consider when evaluating a supplier include:
Pricing options and strategiesFPL Energy Services has several pricing options to meet our customers’ varying needs. The natural gas market can be very volatile and different pricing options should be considered depending on the market conditions. We’ll help you with selecting the pricing option that:
Some of the pros and cons of each pricing strategy are shown next.
Gas Management ServicesWe understand you want a supplier that has the experience, expertise and resources to meet your natural gas needs. As a recognized leader, FPLES is committed to your success. You can trust us to provide a reliable gas supply and customer service, all at a competitive price. Our service also includes:
Contact usBusiness customers - for more details on how FPL Energy Services can make a visible difference in your natural gas bill, please call us toll-free today 1-877-375-4674. Residential Customers - unfortunately FPL Energy Services does not supply residential households, please consult the yellow pages for suppliers. Price quotePlease fill out our form to get a price quote for your Florida-based business. Successful submission results in an immediate confirmation, followed by an FPLES representative contacting you to discuss pricing options. Natural Gas unbundlingIn the past, most commercial customers did not have the option of choosing their gas supplier. Today local gas utilities’ services are unbundled, and all business customers are now able to select a supplier of choice. Therefore since you can purchase gas from a non-utility supplier, unbundling means competition and choice. There are three major components in natural gas supply. These three components are: A - The extraction of natural gas from the ground (or natural gas production) B - The interstate transportation of gas into a local region by pipeline C - The delivery of gas from the city gate to a business (LDC) – needs to be defined Before natural gas unbundling, the local gas distribution company arranged all three components of natural gas supply and the total price charged by the gas company was set by regulation. Now, business customers can arrange for a competitive gas supplier, to purchase and transport (Steps A & B) their natural gas. The local gas distribution company is still responsible for delivering the gas along local lines to your business (Step C), as well as performing emergency repair services. With natural gas unbundling, many business customers experience cost savings when purchasing their gas from a competitive supplier, such as FPL Energy Services. The actual amount of your savings will vary depending upon the natural gas supplier you select, the amount of natural gas you use, and the current regulated cost of natural gas supply purchased by your local natural gas company. How Hurricanes can affect natural gas supply and your business
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Comparing different natural gas offers can be difficult. Unfortunately, it is often a comparison of apples to oranges. In order to compare “apples to apples” you need to have every supplier quote based upon the same elements. For instance, are all proposals based upon the same index (e.g. Inside FERC Gas Market Reports, 1st of month, FGT zone 3). Other elements to consider are does your current offer include:
A hurricane that doesn’t come close to your business can still hurt your profits because hurricanes can impact the supply and price you pay for natural gas. While the impact of hurricanes on the supply of natural gas to your business is typically short in duration, the effect on price may be significant. FPL Energy Services would like help you understand the chain events that occur and your options. The Gulf Coast supplies about 20% of the national natural gas supply. Industry analysts indicate that the 2004 and 2005 hurricanes impacted natural gas more than any other energy market, as hurricanes approach offshore drilling and production platforms are shut down for safety reasons. As areas evacuate, the process plants are also shut down. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita damaged processing facilities and transportation pipelines. The path and the power of the hurricane will determine how long the flow of natural gas is disrupted. So what does all this mean for your business and what are your options? Even during the major hurricanes of the last few years, natural gas still flowed into Florida. But, it was at a price that was as much as three time higher than before the hurricane hit. Most natural gas contracts now contain Force Majeure language which in essence says if your supplier cannot get gas because of circumstances beyond their control, than they are not in breach of contract. It is in your supplier’s best interest to keep the gas flowing; so you have to ask yourself what price you are willing to pay for natural gas to keep your business operating. As part of the force majeure language, if gas is available, but at an elevated price because of an emergency supply situation, your FPL Energy Services natural gas contract gives you choices. You have the option of automatically receiving natural gas at any price or being notified of the cost and then decide whether to accept replacement gas or not. That decision depends on how critical natural gas is to the daily operations of the business. If you decide not to receive replacement gas because of the cost, you will incur a penalty charge from the LDC. The penalty charge is usually more expensive than the cost of the replacement gas. So as part of your business hurricane preparation you should: