New Business Account
Turn the Lights on with a New Business Account
Open a New Account
The fastest way to start new service is to DOWNLOAD our application and call us at 1-800-966-4818 to schedule an in-person appointment. To begin the application process online, tap START HERE.
New Business Account Checklist
Please review the items listed below. Questions? Call our Business Solutions Center at 1-800-966- 4818.
- Application for Service signed by the business owner, corporate officer, or authorized agent.
- A government-issued photo ID
- A signed lease, deed, or current property tax bill. If you lease your property, please provide the signature page and page(s) that show your occupancy's start date.
- A deposit. We base your deposit amount on two months average billing or a load letter. We pay interest annually, and we will return the deposit to you, with interest, if you pay all bills on time for 36 months and after a credit review of your business. If applying online, the customer service representative handling your request will provide the deposit amount. You may also call our Business First Hotline at 1-800-966-4818 to obtain your deposit amount. Deposits must be paid in cash or by bank/certified check or money order. We do not accept deposit payments by credit card. Make sure to include the account number ending with D provided by the Customer Service Representative to ensure accurate and timely processing.
- A Sales Tax Exemption Certificate, if your business is tax exempt. Please include the proper form with your application: Form ST-119.1 (nonprofits), Form ST-121 (manufacturers), or Form TP-382 (apartment complexes).
- You must file your business with the NYS Corporation and Business Entity database.
- Electrical Inspection Certificate. In some cases, a customer may be required to submit an electrical inspection certificate to ensure it is safe to turn power on. Our Customer Service Representatives will let you know if an inspection is required upon review of your application.
New Account Resources
Vacant Space Revival Program
Eligible businesses can receive incentives to occupy vacant spaces and breathe new life into struggling business districts. The Vacant Space Revival Program is designed to encourage occupancy of commercial space in a business district or in an area of existing commercial businesses that has been vacant for a period of one year or more. Learn more
New Business Accounts for Religious, Community Residence, and Veterans Organizations
Religious, community residence, or veterans organizations may qualify for a residential rate. Please also include the following information with your application.
Religious organizations:
- A copy of articles of incorporation as a religious corporation.
- A copy of the charter.
- Eligibility designations from the IRS.
- A Tax-Exempt Certificate.
- A copy of the filing receipt from the County Clerk's Office in the county for the location for which you are applying.
Community residence organizations:
- A copy of the Certificate of Incorporation under Not-For-Profit corporation law.
- A copy of the license from NYS Office of Mental Hygiene.
- Certification from the NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities that the organization is either (1) a “supervised living facility” (as defined in the Mental Hygiene Law) providing 24-hour per day on-site supervision and living accommodations for 14 or fewer residents; or (2) a “supportive living facility” providing supervised independent living without 24-hour per day on-site supervision.
Veterans organizations:
- Proof that the premises is a post or hall owner or leased by a nonprofit veterans association.
- Certification of status as an organization exempt under IRC Section 501(c)(19).
Ensuring a Smooth Transition
Including the correct information on your application for service helps us power up your business account fast.
- What name should I use? Register your county-registered, non-incorporated business with your name and the DBA (doing business as) name.
- Who can sign the Application for Service? School districts: Superintendent or Deputy Superintendent for Business, Villages: Mayor or Village Clerk, Townships: Town Supervisor or Town Clerk, County governments: Commissioner or above, County Clerk, or County Attorney, NYS government: Regional Manager of the Office of General Services
- Incorporated out of state? You must file your business with the NYS Corporation and Business Entity database.
- Use the correct tax ID number. Not incorporated? Use your Social Security number. Incorporated? Use the EIN.
Frequently Asked Questions
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An electronic load letter specifies the service characteristics, service size, voltage, electric load, electric motor load, and any backup generation your company needs. We request this information in the application's Service and Rate Classification section.
If you aren't sure of your energy needs, an electrician can accurately estimate your electric usage and provide it in a load letter. We use this information to calculate your rate and determine your business's classification. We require that you submit an electric load letter if there is no existing service or if your electric usage will significantly increase/decrease from the previous occupant.
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We apply a $220 service initiation charge to all non-residential accounts if we must physically turn on the service. We apply a $60 service initiation charge to non-residential accounts that just undergo a name change and for which the service has not been turned off. These charges will appear on your business's first bill.
We don't apply a service initiation charge to accounts transferring from tenants to landlords. If, however, the account remains in a "Landlord Change Name-Vacant" status after three billing cycles or there's significant usage on the account, we do reserve the right to apply a $60 charge.
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We review all online applications within two business days of receipt. If we need more information and/or corrections, we will contact you. If service is off, we will schedule a service turn on for the next available business day after we receive a completed application (including any required deposit). If you have an urgent matter, please call 1-800-966-4818 to request an appointment.
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If the application was otherwise complete, and only the deposit is missing, please see below for processing information:
- If you left your deposit at the Melville Drop Box, it will be processed within 24 business hours. A customer service representative will reach out to you to confirm your turn on date.
- If you paid your deposit via Western Union Quick Collect, it will be processed within 24 business hours. A customer service representative will reach out to you to confirm your turn on date.
- If you mailed your deposit, the deposit will be processed when it reaches our office. Please note, a "delivered" status does not necessarily indicate it has reached the proper team to be processed and may still take some time. A customer service representative will reach out to you to confirm your turn on date.
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Yes. An application is always required for non-residential service, regardless of other accounts you may have.
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Yes. An application is required for each meter/account.