The price you pay for electricity and/or natural gas ("energy") is made up of delivery and supply charges. Delivery charge: what you pay RG&E to transport energy to your home or business. Supply charge: what you pay for the energy purchased for you by RG&E or a supplier other than RG&E (also known as an energy services company or ESCO).

• Basic service charge includes a portion of the cost of the meter, meter reading, billing and part of the cost for delivery service. Appears on your bill whether or not you use any electricity or natural gas during the billing period.
• Kilowatt-hours measure of electricity use.
• Hydroelectric power savings estimated savings from the cost of hydroelectricity RG&E buys.
• ccf (hundreds of cubic feet) measure of volume of natural gas used. You are charged based on therms, the heat content of the natural gas.
• Gas supply charge reflects the actual costs of purchasing, transporting and storing natural gas for those customers who receive their natural gas supply from RG&E.
• Merchant function charge reflects the administrative costs of obtaining natural gas supply. Customers with a supplier other than RG&E are not charged for this service.
• Weather adjustment moderates natural gas bills during any extreme weather between October 1 and May 31. If temperatures during the billing period are colder than normal, customers typically receive a weather adjustment credit. If temperatures are warmer than normal, customers receive a weather adjustment charge.
• Meter conversion factor used to calculate your bill if your meter is one of those that records only a portion of your energy use.
• Systems benefit charge (SBC) a state-mandated charge for all electricity and natural gas customers. The SBC is used to fund clean energy activities conducted by NYSERDA and energy efficiency programs administered by RG&E.
• Transition charge/surcharge reflects the costs of making the electricity and/or natural gas industry more competitive. Includes associated credits and/or charges.
• Prorated bills calculated by determining your average daily energy cost and multiplying it by the number of days in your billing period. Prorated bills are used only when your billing period is shorter or longer than normal.
• Pay your bill by mail , online  or at any of RG&E's authorized pay agents . If you pay in person, please bring your entire bill.
• Payment is due when you receive your bill. Your payment must be postmarked by the date at the top of page 1 of your bill to avoid a late payment charge of 1.5% per month. If you pay in person your payment must be received on or before the date at the top of page 1 of your bill.

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Backout Credit (Supply Adjustment)

Based on the market price of electricity, it is applied against the RG&E fixed supply charge if you are enrolled with an energy services company (ESCO) under the ESCO Price Option with Supply Adjustment.

Customer Charge

Includes a portion of the cost of the meter, meter reading, billing and part of the cost for delivery service. It will appear on your bill whether or not you use any energy during the billing period.

Glossary

Delivery Charge

What you pay RG&E to transport electricity to you over our power lines. Costs associated with maintaining the safety and reliability of the electric system are included.

Energy Services Company (ESCO)

An unregulated business that sells electricity or natural gas supply to end users. RG&E then delivers the electricity or natural gas to the end user.

Fixed Price

A price that remains the same, usually for a set period of time.

Kilowatt-hour (kwh)

The measure of the quantity of electricity you use. A kwh equals 1,000 watt-hours. One kwh equals the energy needed to operate a 100-watt light bulb for 10 hours.

Load Profile (Historical Usage Data)

Information on a customer’s energy usage over a period of time, sometimes shown in a graph format and typically reflects the last 13 months of recorded data.

Minimum Monthly Charge

Includes the cost of meter reading, billing, equipment and maintenance. This charge is part of the cost of providing service. It will appear on your bill whether or not you use any energy during the billing period.

New York Independent System Operator (NYISO)

The function of the NYISO is to coordinate the physical supply of electricity throughout New York State and maintain reliability of the bulk power system.

New York State Assessment

As required by state law, effective July 1, 2009, utilities must collect a special state assessment from all customers for the state’s general fund. This assessment, included in the delivery charge on your bill, amounts to an annual bill increase of approximately 2%. Utilities are required to collect this assessment through March 2014.

New York State Public Service Commission (PSC)

The New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) is a state agency that regulates public utilities.

Rate

An amount approved by the Public Service Commission (PSC) which the utility uses to bill customers. Rates differ from one service classification to another.

Retail Access Credit

A fixed credit applied against your RG&E charges if you purchase your supply from an energy services company (ESCO).

Retail Access Surcharge

Collects from all customers the amount of retail access credits given to those customers who choose to receive their electricity supply from an energy services company (ESCO).

Service Classification (SC)

RG&E's pricing for retail service is established by tariffs that are filed and approved by the Public Service Commission (PSC). The tariff establishes a range of service classifications (SC) based on customer size and other circumstances.

Supply Charge

The supply charge is what you pay for the electricity purchased for you by RG&E or an energy services company (ESCO).

Transition Charge

The difference between the market price of electricity and the price of RG&E’s long-term electricity supply contracts (may be positive or negative).

Variable Price

A price that fluctuates depending on the wholesale price of electricity.