Can you explain the various charges on my bill?

Here are the definitions for the line items you see on your bill.

Basic Service Charge covers the cost of metering, billing and other customer services. This charge may include the cost of a minimum amount of usage and is billed whether or not you use any energy.

Delivery Charge reflects the cost of delivering energy through our lines to your home or business and to fund infrastructure improvements. This charge varies according to how much energy you use. For Rockland Electric customers, delivery charges are called distribution and transmission charges.

Billing Charge (O&R non retail access gas customers only) reflects the costs of issuing bills, including printing, mailing, call center functions, and processing of customer payments.

Merchant Function Charge (O&R non retail access gas customers only) reflects certain costs associated with procuring and storing natural gas, as well as costs incurred by the company related to credit and collections activities and uncollectible accounts.

Merchant Function Charge (O&R retail access gas customers only) reflects certain costs associated with credit and collections activities that we perform on behalf of your alternate supplier since we provide billing services to your supplier.

Energy Cost Adjustment recovers costs related to Orange & Rockland and Rockland Electric Company's prior obligation to purchase energy from non-utility generation sources and other purchase agreements that ensure service reliability.

SBS/RPS: System Benefits Charge recovers the cost of mandated energy efficiency, environmental protection and low income assistance programs. For PCL&P customers, this charge is included in the delivery rates. RPS or Renewable Portfolio Standard (O&R only) recovers the cost of renewable resources programs.

Government Surcharges (O&R only) include New York State and local taxes, such as state income tax, the Gross Receipts Tax, and local and village taxes, where applicable.

Market Supply Charge (O&R only) recovers all costs from purchasing electricity in the open market for customers who do not have an alternate energy supplier.

Basic Generation Service Charge recovers all the costs from purchasing electricity in the open market for customers who do not have an alternate energy supplier.

Supplier's electric or gas charges reflect the cost of energy supply. This section will appear on your bill only if you receive electric and/or gas supply from an alternate energy supplier.

Gas Supply Charge (O&R only) reflects the monthly charges the company pays for purchasing gas supply on behalf of customers who do not have an alternate supplier.

GIP Tax (O&R retail access customers only) is the New York State Gas Import Tax on all natural gas imported into the state.

Gas Balancing Charge is the amount charged by O&R for its gas storage and delivery facilities which are used to reconcile the difference between the amount of gas provided to the company by your alternate gas supplier and your actual usage during the billing period. This charge is applied only during the November through March heating season.

Gas Cost Rate (PCL&P only) reflects billing adjustments approved and regulated by the state's regulatory commission to accommodate the changing cost of fuel. This charge is computed by multiplying the approved rate by the amount of energy used.

STAS (PCL&P only): State Tax Adjustment Surcharge is for any adjustments to electric and gas rates that reflect changes in various Pennsylvania state taxes.

Transition Bond Charge (Rockland Electric only) is a charge to recover costs previously incurred by Rockland Electric to serve customers in a regulated environment.