A therm is a non-SI unit of heat energy. It is approximately the energy equivalent of burning 100 cubic feet -- often referred to as 1 CCF -- of natural gas. The average person usually uses about 2-5 therms per day.

If you suspect a leak, call Northwestern Energy at 1.888.467.2669. If you notice anything obviously wrong, evacuate your house and call 9-1-1 immediately. 

You will send payments to Big Sky Gas for your natural gas supply portion of your bill.

You can pay you bill by clicking the green “Bill Pay” icon at the top-right corner of this page (https://bigsky.ecinfobill.com/eService/Logon.aspx) or by calling 844-296-5951.

Energy deregulation gives you a choice. Prior to deregulation, local utilities were the only option and customers were forced to pay their rates. Now, customers may choose the energy supply company -- like Big Sky Gas -- that provides you with the options and prices that best meet your needs.

Big Sky Gas gives Montanans the option to lock in fixed rates. These fixed rates provide protection during the span of your contract, offering customers peace of mind and refuge from the fluctuating prices of the utility. 

Yes, you will receive a separate bill from Big Sky Gas for you natural gas supply and your current provider -- Northwestern Energy -- will send you a bill for your gas delivery and electric supply and delivery as usual.

Yes, residing in a deregulated market allows you to change your supplier. Just visit our website, click on the “enroll now” link, fill in the required information and you’re all set. Once your enrollment with Big Sky Gas is complete, we'll handle the rest! (Note: Be sure to check the terms of the agreement with your current supplier to determine if you are subject to an Early Termination Fee.) 

Should you have a problem with service, please call Northwestern Energy at 1-888-467-2669. They will continue to respond to service interruptions, maintain infrastructure, and continue to provide the same level of service, regardless of who supplies your energy.

No. The switch from one supplier to another is seamless.

As soon as approval for the switch is received from Northwestern Energy, Big Sky Gas should become your supplier of record as of your next meter read date. This process typically takes about 45 days.

No. Utilities generally make their profits on the delivery portion of natural gas service and do not have much incentive for customers to stay with them for natural gas supply services. 

That depends on the type of service that you have elected. In the case of our variable rate plans, you can terminate at any time without penalty. If you are on one of our fixed-rate plans, penalties may apply. We recommend that you review your terms of service or agreement prior to making any changes. If you are unsure, please do not hesitate to give us a call. We're always happy to help.

We proudly boast a best-in-class energy procurement approach. We are nimble enough to rapidly respond to changes in natural gas demand and supply in order to deliver a competitive rate for our customers. When a consumer outsources his or her energy management needs to Big Sky Gas, they can be confident knowing that they will receive an experienced, knowledgeable and dependable company working as dedicated energy specialists. 

If you choose a competitive energy supplier there will be no disruption in service and no one must come to your home or business. No one will need to install any wires, cables, boxes or meters.

When you choose a competitive supplier, you will still have that energy delivered by your traditional utility company and typically will continue to receive a consolidated bill from the utility. What will change is the price you pay on the supply portion of your utility bill and the type of electric or gas product you purchase. As a consumer, you need only select a competitive energy supplier and authorize them to make the switch. The reliability of your service will remain the same. The local utility company will continue to be responsible for any power outages or other emergencies.

Like choosing a cell phone service provider, selecting a competitive energy supplier requires a contract between you and the supplier. Always be sure to read and understand all the terms and conditions of your contract. You can enter into a contract with a retail electric or natural gas supplier in several ways. Some examples include:

Enrolling online and accepting contract terms and conditions electronically; or
Signing a written contract; or
Providing a recorded verbal consent (also known as third-party verification) to contract terms and conditions.

While it can be as easy as contracting through one of the three methods above, keep in mind that written contracts, especially those that result from direct solicitation, sometimes also require third-party verification for your protection..

Residents and business customers in many U.S. jurisdictions can shop for electricity and natural gas and have a variety of competitive offers from which to choose.

To learn whether competitive choice in energy is available in your state, visit your state’s public utility or public service commission website. If you live in a state with a competitive energy market, the public utility commission website should list all competitive energy suppliers and detail how to learn more about shopping in the market.

You can often find energy shopping tips and residential or small business supplier offer information on your local public utility commission website or special shopping sites linked though the commission website. This includes the names of suppliers actively soliciting for customers and other information about basic offers in some cases. Visit www.resausa.org to find consumer information or to click through to state commission-sponsored information sites.

In many states you can choose a retail energy supplier just as you do for cell phone plans and cable and Internet packages. Choosing an energy supplier is no different. There are a wide variety of products and pricing options in the market to consider.

Electricity and natural gas suppliers do NOT work for nor are they endorsed by utilities. Competitive energy suppliers DO work with your utility company to make sure they can switch your account from utility supply to competitive supply with your authorization.

In order to coordinate the switch, the energy supplier will need a copy of your utility bill or your utility account number to process your enrollment with your new competitive supplier.

Depending on the billing methods of the supplier you select you might receive two separate bills, one for energy supply from your supplier and one from the utility for the delivery of that energy (dual billing). In most cases you will receive one bill from the local utility with both competitive supply charges and utility delivery charges reflected (utility consolidated billing), or one bill from the competitive supplier reflecting both delivery and supply charges (supplier consolidated billing). Competitive suppliers operate under agreements with the local utility to ensure proper billing options. If a competitive supplier makes any claims that they are acting on behalf of the utility, discontinue the conversation and immediately contact your utility and public utility commission for clarification.

Competitive retail energy suppliers generally are licensed by the state, and must abide by local, state, and federal rules and regulations governing competitive suppliers and the sale of electricity and natural gas products.

Be aware that state and federal laws and regulations require the energy supplier to fully disclose all relevant terms and conditions of the contract agreement between you and the supplier.