Frequently Asked Questions about Columbia Utilities Plans

If you're ready to enroll, you can complete the process online, or call us at (877) 726 - 5862 during normal business hours where a customer care representative will be happy to help.

Switching to Columbia Utilities is simple. You'll continue to receive your electricity or natural gas through the same utility lines and pipes, with the same reliability. The only thing that changes is who supplies your energy and how it's sourced. Your local utility will still handle service issues and billing (in most cases). The transition typically takes 1-2 billing cycles to complete, and there's no interruption to your service.

Columbia Utilities does not charge any enrollment fees, ever. Your current energy supplier may assess a cancellation fee if you’re switching providers within your contract term. Your current supplier can confirm what those costs (if any) are.

With some plans, an early termination fee may apply. Please refer to the plan’s terms and conditions when enrolling.

We offer a variety of variable and fixed-rate residential and commercial plans. For residential customers, search your zip code and utility company to see available rates. For commercial customers, contact us at (877) 726 - 5862.

When you choose a 100% renewable electricity plan, Columbia Utilities purchases renewable energy certificates (RECs) that match your electricity usage. These certificates support the generation of renewable energy from sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric power. While the electricity flowing to your home still comes through the local grid, your choice ensures that clean energy is being produced and added to the grid in an amount equivalent to what you use.

Carbon offsets compensate for the carbon emissions created when you use natural gas. When you select a Columbia Utilities natural gas plan with carbon offsets, we invest in projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as reforestation, methane capture, or renewable energy development. These projects offset the carbon impact of your natural gas usage, making it carbon-neutral.

These are our plans that include rate guarantee for a specified term (typically 6- or 12-months).

This type of plan includes a rate with an introductory period, followed by another rate for the remainder of the term period.

It depends on your usage habits, budget preferences, and whether sustainability is a priority. Need help deciding? You can contact us — we’ll walk you through the options and help you make the best choice.

There is almost no difference in your service after switching to Columbia Utilities. You will still be supplied your energy from your utility company, you will still contact your utility company if you have issues or small gas, and you will still receive a bill each month from your utility company. On it, Columbia Utilities will be listed as your supplier.

You can get help with your account by contacting Columbia Utilities Customer Success team for support options, contact details, and answers to common questions. Visit our contact us page or call our customer care team at (877) 726 - 5862 during normal business hours.

We supply your energy, but your local utility company still manages the infrastructure. Please reach out to your local utility for any outages or emergencies.

If you have an emergency (like a power outage or natural gas leak), please call the local utility company for your area.

Visit your utility company’s website to view outage maps or call their customer line. They’ll have the most up-to-date information about any service disruptions in your area.

Columbia Utilities is a privately-owned retail provider of electricity and natural gas, dedicated to serving homeowners and businesses across the United States. Learn more about Columbia Utilities here.

Energy deregulation allows companies like Columbia Utilities to provide an alternative to local utility companies. It allows consumers to have a choice in the energy supplier that fits their lifestyle, like choosing one that participates with renewable energy.

While we are not your utility company, there is no disruption to your service. Columbia Utilities is able to purchase the electricity or natural gas on the competitive market and sell it to customers. Your local utility continues to deliver that electricity or natural gas to your home.

By law, the local utility company is not allowed to provide different care levels to customers who have chosen an alternate supplier. You will continue to receive the same level of delivery quality, emergency response, and meter reading from your current utility. Your utility company will not change, just the supplier of your electricity and/or natural gas.

The utility company is responsible for the billing, lines, poles, pipes, meters, power outages, repairs, and other issues with how energy gets to your home. With any outages, your utility company still fixes the problem and restores your power.

Renewable energy comes from sources like wind, solar, and hydro that naturally replenish. Columbia Utilities supports clean energy^* through renewable energy credits (RECs), which help fund green energy production across the grid.

Yes. Our green energy plans, called renewable energy plans, give you access to 100% renewable electricity or carbon-offset natural gas^* without the need to install special equipment.

We invest in programs that reduce carbon emissions and promote renewable energy development. We also partner with reforestation projects and sustainability organizations to support a broader climate-positive impact.