Natural gas operation giving consumers more choice.

Intelligent Energy[R], known in the Southeast as Infinite Energy Inc., a natural gas marketing company headquartered in Gainesville, Florida, has opened operations in New York State.

The company will market deregulated natural gas and related services to individual homeowners, commercial entities, not-for-profit organizations and governmental institutions.

Intelligent Energy's founders have a proven track record of success providing natural gas and services in both Florida and Georgia.

Operating since 1994, the company now has a client base in excess of 70,000 business and residential customers. "Over the past several years, New York State has passed a number of laws designed to deregulate the energy services sector," said Darin Cook, President of Intelligent Energy.

"The goal of deregulation is to provide options and choices for consumers when purchasing natural gas and electricity.

"In addition to meeting the guidelines of the New York Public Service Commission, the leading utility companies in this market, Keyspan, Con Edison and Orange and Rockland Utilities, are receptive to Intelligent Energy's starting operations in the region."

Intelligent Energy offers consumers the opportunity to sign contracts of up to three years in duration for the purchase of natural gas at fixed rates.

During the agreement period, customers are guaranteed that they will pay a flat rate for each unit of natural gas utilized. Intelligent Energy will work with the customers' utility company to ensure the seamless transition of service.

After making the change, there will be no service disruptions and the customers will continue to have access to all the natural gas they need. Rates for each unit of natural gas will remain the same no matter how much is used during any given month.

The customers' utility company will continue to deliver the natural gas to the home or business, read the meters and provide all necessary services.

David Benfield, Vice President of Marketing for Intelligent Energy, commented, "Similar to most consumer products and other commodities, natural gas has increased significantly in price over the past several years.

"Since 2002 the average price of natural gas offered by local utility companies has risen by more than 40 percent. We believe that by giving consumers choice and long-term contracts for natural gas, we are providing them with a number of benefits and protections.

He added, "The most important of which is that they do not have to worry about drastic price fluctuations during times of market volatility.

"With stable pricing, consumers can budget their resources and they do not have to be immediately concerned about market conditions."

Consumers should also be aware that, while Intelligent Energy provides them with natural gas, the actual natural gas delivery, meter readings and service will continue to be provided unchanged by their current service provider.

In the event of emergencies or repairs, these companies will continue to respond and remain responsible for the safety of all natural gas lines and delivery.