Virginia Electric Choice
Your Rights as a Consumer

The Virgina State Corporation Commission (SCC) has established rules for retail access to the competitive energy market in Virginia. These rules provide reasonable customer protections, ensure fair treatment of market participants and promote competition in the Commonwealth. The SCC will still regulate and monitor your local distribution company for the safe and reliable delivery of electricity or natural gas.

1. If you choose a competitive service provider, you will agree to and receive a contract. Make sure you read and understand all the terms and conditions. Don't be pressured into a decision. And remember to ask the competitive service provider about the length of the contract, how the contract renews, and how you will be notified.
   
   
2. You have 10 days to change your mind without penalty. After that period, there may be a penalty fee if you cancel your contract before it ends. And after doing this, you may either choose service from another competitive service provider or return to your local distribution company. If you return to the local distribution company, you may be required to stay for a specified period of time.
   
   
3. You are not required to choose a new competitive service provider. If you want to stay with your local distribution company, you do not need to do anything. If you choose a new competitive service provider, it's easy to switch. If you don't choose a new competitive service provider, your current local distribution company will still continue to supply your energy.
   
   
4. It is illegal for a new competitive service provider to switch your service without your permission. If this happens, please contact the SCC's Division of Energy Regulation at 1-800-552-7945 to lodge a complaint.
   
   
5. If a competitive service provider ceases to provide your electricity or natural gas for any reason, you will return to your local distribution company without interruption of service.