OnlineChoice saving consumers in NIMO service area up to 14 percent

OnlineChoice, the company that pools consumers nationwide to maximize their buying power, is offering residents in the Niagara Mohawk Electricity (NIMO) service area (Albany, Buffalo, Rome, Syracuse, and Utica, among others) the choice of two deals that could lower their electric bills between 10.5 percent and 14 percent, depending upon the offer they select. To take advantage of these offers, consumers simply join free, no-obligation OnlineChoice buying pools at the company's website, www.OnlineChoice.com, a process that take just minutes. Pool members in upstate New York will be presented OnlineChoice-negotiated offers from NYSEG Solutions and Energetix Inc.; these offers are available for a limited time. Whichever offer consumers select, the transmission of their electric power will continue to be provided by NIMO.

NYSEG Solutions is offering OnlineChoice pool members savings up to 14 percent on their total electric bill, which translates to roughly $85 - $135 over the course of a year (for a family of four whose residential usage is 750 kWh per month). Energetix Inc. is offering OnlineChoice pool members savings between 10.5 percent and 13 percent on their total electric bill, for an equivalent annual dollar savings. Of course, the higher the electricity use, the higher the savings.

These rates are good for the duration of a 12-month service agreement. Both companies are offering these deals on a first-come, first-served basis, until their New York State-provided marketing funds run out, which at current switching rates is anticipated to occur in roughly two weeks. More than 1,500 consumers across upstate New York have already joined an OnlineChoice electricity buying pool.

OnlineChoice's electricity buying pools are available in every state where electricity has been deregulated. The Internet company enables its buying pool members to maximize their buying power by driving commodity prices down, using a supplier-driven reverse auction. This simple "power in numbers" concept is the key to getting the kinds of reductions on utility bills and other vital services that make a difference in household and small-business budgets.

For the consumer, this translates to savings that they could not enjoy as individuals, plus the convenience of having OnlineChoice do all the sorting through of sometimes confusing offers and counteroffers. For service suppliers, the advantage is access to thousands of customers, which means lower customer acquisition costs and greater pricing flexibility. OnlineChoice.com receives a customer acquisition fee from electric generation suppliers that sign up customers through its buying pools.

"Upstate New York consumers can now choose between two great offers that will cut their electricity bills so that they can keep more of what they earn each month," said Sanjay Chopra, president and CEO of OnlineChoice. "But they'll have to hurry, because these offers to our pool members are short-term."

Besides electricity, OnlineChoice is helping consumers save money on other vital services, including natural gas (with savings up to 20 percent in deregulated markets) and long-distance telephone service (with a 4.75 cents-a-minute, no-monthly-fees offer that is simply the best long-distance, state-to-state telephone deal available anywhere in the country). Soon OnlineChoice will launch a home security buying pool, which already promises to get consumers impressive savings off home security system installation and monitoring services. In addition, before the summer is out, OnlineChoice will inaugurate buying pools for internet access, insurance choice, and vehicle choice.

To join an electricity buying pool, log on to www.OnlineChoice.com or www.ElectricityChoice.com and follow the simple instructions, or call toll-free, 1-877-E-CHOOSE, and speak with an OnlineChoice customer service representative.

Founded in 1999, OnlineChoice is positioned to become a far-reaching network of independent, Internet-based buying pools and consumer guides that offer unbiased information people need to make informed choices and get better prices on a wide range of vital services. Each website will operate on the premise that there is buying power in numbers. OnlineChoice is backed by DQE Enterprises, a subsidiary of DQE, Inc. (NYSE:DQE); Lycos Ventures; Draper Triangle Ventures; and The Hillman Company. OnlineChoice is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and was founded by Marshall Cohen, chairman; Sanjay Chopra; and Bill Kirkendale, executive vice president and chief technology officer. The company can be reached at 412/320-4454.

CONTACT: OnlineChoice Erich Parker, 202/478-6158 erich.parker@OnlineChoice.com or Elizabeth Grace, 561/989-9855 lizkgrace@aol.com