What companies are covered by this privacy policy?
This privacy policy covers Web sites operated by Allegheny Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including Allegheny Energy Supply and Allegheny Power. For the purpose of this FAQ, Allegheny Energy refers to the entire company.

What is Allegheny Energy's privacy philosophy?
Our goal is to provide a reliable level of privacy while at the same time offering information and services to those who visit our site.

What information does Allegheny Energy collect? Allegheny Energy does collect anonymous site traffic information so that we can manage our site better. Allegheny does collect, when possible, the domain name (for example, aol.com) of a visitor's e-mail server. Allegheny Energy does not collect the full e-mail address of visitors to our Web site, unless the user signs up for one of our e-mail notification services. Allegheny Energy also does not use any tracking technology to surreptitiously track our user's activities over the Internet.

The only personally identifiable information Allegheny Energy collects from visitors to our Web site is information that a user willingly gives us as part of signing up for new services.

How does Allegheny Energy use the information we collect?
The personally identifiable information we collect is used solely for the purpose explained on the Web site.

As a matter of policy, Allegheny Energy does not sell, trade or rent personal information about the visitors to our site. However, recent Federal Trade Commission rulings have stated that personal information we have collected can be treated as an asset that could be exchanged in a merger agreement. In the event this happens, Allegheny Energy will share this information in order to ensure service continues. If the merger results in a change to our privacy policy, we will post a copy of the new policy to our Web site.

I want to make sure that my child's privacy is protected. What steps has Allegheny Energy taken in order to ensure this happens?
The majority of Allegheny Energy's Web site is not intended for children under the age of 13. We have some pages that are designed to provide safety and educational information across a wide range of grade school youth. No personally identifiable information is collected on those pages, and Allegheny Energy does not collect personal information about our younger users.

Does Allegheny's privacy policy apply to requests from law
enforcement officials?
In the rare case that a law enforcement agency serves Allegheny Energy with a valid subpoena requesting information on an Allegheny Energy customer, we will provide them with the requested information.

What are "cookies"?
"Cookies" are small text files that are stored on a user's computer by the Web server through the user's browser. Allegheny Energy does not use "cookies" on our Web site. However, if you leave our Web site to go to the Web site of one of our partners, they may use "cookies" to learn of your visit to their site. The same is true if you enter the Allegheny Energy from one of our partner's Web sites. Allegheny Energy has no control over "cookies" used by other sites.

What is "tagging"?
Tagging is a process used by some Web sites to track a user's movement through the site in order to understand that user's behavior. Web sites then use this information to customize the user experience and improve site performance. Allegheny Energy does not use tagging on our Web site.

What happens when I go to another Web site by clicking on a link on the Allegheny Energy Web page?
Once you leave the Allegheny Energy Web site, your viewing experience is governed by the privacy policy of that Web site. Allegheny Energy encourages you to review the privacy policy of these Web sites.

I signed up for e-mail alerts from Allegheny and received e-mail from another company. What happens to my e-mail address?
Other companies host some of our Web pages on their systems. Allegheny Energy does not share personally identifiable information with any other third party, unless the information is required for the delivery of a service. Allegheny Energy subcontractors are governed by Allegheny Energy's privacy policy and, therefore, any information you provide will only be used for the purpose stated.

Will Allegheny Energy ever change its privacy policy?
Like everything else in life, Allegheny Energy's privacy policy is subject to change should the Company begin to offer new services or should new laws and regulations develop regarding privacy. If and when Allegheny Energy makes changes to its policy, however, they will be clearly noted and posted on the Allegheny Energy Web site so you may always be aware of what information is being collected, how it is being used, and under what circumstances it is being disclosed.

I am interested in learning more about privacy. Are there any sites that Allegheny suggests visiting?
Federal Trade Commission (http://www.ftc.gov) - The Federal Trade Commission, the government agency with the responsibility to enforce many U.S. privacy laws, has extensive resources for consumers regarding how to protect your online privacy.

Electronic Privacy Information Center (http://www.epic.org) - EPIC is a public interest research center in Washington, D.C. It was established in 1994 to focus public attention on emerging civil liberties issues and to protect privacy, the First Amendment, and constitutional values. It maintains an extensive library of privacy-related information.

Pew Internet & American Life (http://www.pewinternet.org)- This research organization conducts regular surveys of Americans' attitudes toward a variety of Internet-related issues, which include privacy.

I have another question regarding Allegheny's privacy policy. Who can I contact to ask my question?
Allegheny welcomes your questions and comments about privacy. Please send e-mail to webmaster@alleghenyenergy.com.