An order by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission will require national gas utilities to provide residential and small commercial customer information to other suppliers or energy marketers.

It’s called the Eligible Customer List and, according to a statement from National Fuel, will include “the customer’s account number, name, address, consumption/usage data and other service related information. National Fuel notes this will not include phone numbers and email addresses.

“The PUC believes access to this information will enable natural gas suppliers to identify potential customers and assist in promoting a competitive retail market.”

“We want to assure customers that National Fuel takes every precaution to protect customer data,” Carly Manino, National Fuel spokesperson, said. “Natural gas suppliers will be required to log into a password-protected portion of the National Fuel website to obtain the ECL and will be required by the PUC to safeguard the confidentiality of the customer information provided in the ECL.”

The statement from the company said the process of notifying customers of their options began this week.

In short, if a customer wants their information included on the list, there’s no action to be taken. National Fuel, however, is providing an opt out window through Feb. 17. Opt outs can be addressed on National Fuel’s website, by telephone or be completing and returning a letter that will be sent to customers.

Customers can participate but ask that consumption and usage data be withheld, as well.

Any opt outs will remain in effect for three years until the next required list solicitation, customers can request to be added to the list at any time and “opting out will not prevent a customer from shopping on their own for a natural gas supplier. It may, however, limit the number of solicitations they receive.

“Customers who want their information provided to the natural gas suppliers can expect to be contacted by various energy marketers.”