Natural gas needs its own Virginia check
Competitive natural gas supply or transportation may be relevant for eligible utility accounts. The SCC’s licensed competitive-service-provider framework and the distribution tariff should be checked for the actual gas service.
What matters in this market
A practical Virginia review may focus on tariffs, bills, usage and contract planning even when electric supply cannot be shopped. Keep utility delivery, competitive-service-provider status and account authorizations distinct. Licensing of a supplier does not establish eligibility for every customer.
The relevant wholesale-system context is PJM for major investor-owned electric territories. A wholesale market label does not itself grant retail switching rights. Start with the state program and the account’s delivery utility, then read the proposed retail agreement.
Identify the utility and account boundary
Use the utility name printed on the bill rather than the supplier’s brand or a nearby city’s common provider. A utility can cover only part of a region, and a multi-location business can have different service arrangements across its meters.
The following are market-context examples, not a guarantee of coverage at a specific address. The utility directory and the account’s current invoice are the next checks.
- Dominion Energy Virginia
- Appalachian Power
- Virginia gas utilities
Build an equivalent offer comparison
For a Virginia business, eligibility comes before price ranking. Once the account pathway is confirmed, use the same meters, dates and annual consumption in each request. Read the unit price alongside recurring charges, exclusions, volume terms and contract obligations.
Hypothetical: 100,000 kWh at $0.10/kWh represents $10,000 in energy cost. A $0.095/kWh alternative with $600 in annual fees represents $10,100 before comparable excluded components. A lower energy rate can therefore produce a higher modeled cost.
| Decision | Evidence to use |
|---|---|
| Retail eligibility | Virginia SCC: choosing an energy supplier |
| Delivery and rate class | The service utility’s current tariff and invoice |
| Supply price and exclusions | Dated written supplier offer and agreement |
| Future load | Operating calendar, equipment changes and meter plans |
Prepare the review without oversharing
Record the state, utility, commodity, location count and renewal timing. Keep detailed account identifiers and documents out of the initial inquiry. After connecting, agree how to share the information needed for a meaningful review.
An inquiry does not change the utility, enroll supply or authorize a contract. Supplier-paid broker compensation applies when an account enrolls through our service; request its treatment in the offer.
Questions & answers
Can every Virginia business choose a supplier?
Virginia re-established regulated retail rates for most electric customers, with competitive opportunities subject to legal, product and account-specific conditions. Do not assume broad retail electricity choice. Confirm eligibility with the utility and SCC framework before treating an advertised supply contract as an available alternative.
Will the delivery utility change if supply changes?
A supply change and utility delivery are separate roles. Confirm the account’s applicable program and tariff; do not assume a supplier quote changes the delivery company or its regulated charges.
Sources & scope
Primary references reviewed October 15, 2026. These sources support the stated concepts; actual tariffs, program rules and signed agreements govern the account. Decision examples and operational worksheets are original educational analysis.
- Virginia SCC: choosing an energy supplier
State-level eligibility context. Verify the service utility, account class and current program rules. - EIA: electricity prices and factors affecting prices
Price components and variation; not an account-specific quote. - EIA: natural gas customer choice programs
Gas choice and utility delivery; local eligibility must be confirmed.