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February 6, 2002
Naperville, IL. — Nicor Gas today announced that it has 11 natural gas suppliers currently participating in Customer Select®, a voluntary program that will let customers choose their natural gas supplier starting March 1.
"Supplier participation is off to a great start," said John Madziarczyk, director of rate projects for Nicor Gas." Competition and free markets benefit customers, and the more suppliers that participate the greater number of choices there will be."
Natural gas suppliers will target either residential customers or business customers or a combination of both. Suppliers can sign on to become a qualified natural gas supplier in the Customer Select program at any time.
Nicor Gas does not share its residential customer information with any of the participating suppliers. Therefore, suppliers are responsible for launching their own direct marketing efforts once the program begins. Most suppliers will contact consumers through direct mail and telephone marketing, and some may incorporate other channels such as email and door-to-door solicitations.
Beginning mid-February, Nicor Gas will mail all of its two million customers a Customer Select information package containing the customer's estimated annual gas usage, a detailed brochure explaining the program, and a listing participating suppliers and contact information for each. Five of the 11 suppliers have chosen to not actively solicit customers at this time. The following suppliers have chosen to be listed in Nicor Gas communications:
Residential Suppliers:
Corn Belt Energy Corp.
MxEnergy Inc.
Nicor Energy
Peoples Energy Services
Santanna Energy Services
Business Suppliers:
Corn Belt Energy Corp.
MidAmerican Energy
MxEnergy Inc.
Nicor Energy
Peoples Energy Services
Santanna Energy Services
After four years as a successful pilot program, on January 3 the Illinois Commerce Commission granted final approval of Customer Select as a permanent program. In addition to receiving a customer information kit, in the coming weeks Nicor Gas customers will start to see more information about Customer Select through special bill inserts; radio, print and outdoor advertising; and information posted at www.nicor.com.
"We were looking for a level of participation that would give both residents and businesses a solid selection of suppliers to choose from and it appears we've accomplished that goal," adds Madziarczyk. "The expansion of Customer Select to all of our customers is an important step for Illinois' energy industry."
Nicor Gas serves two million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. The company has provided safe, reliable and cost-effective natural gas services for more than 45 years. Nicor Gas is one of the nation's largest gas distribution companies. For more information, visit the Nicor Web site at www.nicor.com. | 
