NYSEG Puts Scratch and Sniff on the Bill

New York State Electric and Gas has taken “scratch and sniff” marketing to a new level.

For years, perfume companies have included that in their advertising, but now the power company is including it in their billing.

In their February bills, NYSEG customers will receive an insert with a whiff of what natural gas smells like.

The bill insert explains that people can use sight and sound, as well as smell, to detect natural gas leaks.

National gas is naturally odorless so for safety purposes, a distinctive odor, similar to rotten eggs, is added.