Natural Gas Governmental Aggregation Programs
Frequently Asked Questions
Whom do I call if I have a problem with my natural gas service?
Duke Energy will continue to deliver your natural gas and maintain the pipeline system that brings it to your home or business. You will continue to call Duke at 800-634-4300 for emergency repairs, gas leaks, service turn on or turn off, etc.
Who is the natural gas supplier for the Township's program?
Interstate Gas Supply (IGS), a large privately held company with headquarters in Dublin, Ohio, was selected to serve the township for another 2-year period. IGS won a competitive bid process and was chosen as our program's supplier through the March 2012 bill cycle. IGS is certified by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, currently supplies more customers than all the other marketers combined in the Cincinnati area, and has served many governmental aggregation programs across Ohio.
Will it cost me to join the program?
No. Enrollment in the program is free and you need not take any action. You only need to be eligible to participate. Please refer to the eligibility criteria shown below.
Who is eligible for the program?
All of the current participants in the Township's program will receive a notice of the new program rates, terms and conditions and continue to be eligible. Newly eligible residents or businesses must be located within the township limits. Furthermore, they must have received an opt-out notice from IGS. Here are the criteria for new member eligibility:
1. you must not have already chosen a natural gas supplier on your own;
2. you must not be a PIPP (percentage of income payment program) customer;
3. you must not be in arrears on your bill payment;
4. you must not be a mercantile customer (natural gas commercial accounts using over 5,000 CCF/year); and
5. you must live within Township boundaries.
What if I passed on the initial signup but want to join now?
Enrollment is currently open. Simply call IGS Energy at 800-280-4474 and they will be happy to process your enrollment. You will begin to receive the same rates as those already in the program within 1-2 billing cycles. Before you sign up, you should check to see if your current supplier charges and early termination fee.
What is my price for gas?
The rate for November 2010 is a very low $0.4916/Ccf. Our program has been very successful using variable pricing where the rate changes from month-to-month. We will continue with that strategy until we think it may be better to lock in a fixed rate. This is how we operated for much of the past four years and had success.
How have our rates compared in prior months?
Extremely well! Our gas supply rates have fared better than the alternative Gas Cost Recovery (GCR) Rate from Duke Energy in 42 of 55 months. Our monthly rates for the shoppable gas cost portion of your bill have been as low as $0.426/Ccf. The current rate for November 2010 is $0.4916/Mcf. Our rates have also fared better than those available to individuals selecting a supplier outside of our aggregation program. Collectively the community has saved $1,138,220 since April 2008.
How long is the program?
The township's governmental aggregation program can go on indefinitely. This offer from IGS is for two years and will end with your March 2012 billing period.
Will I get two bills?
No. For your convenience, you will continue to receive only one bill from Duke. It will show Duke's delivery charges and the supply charge amount owed IGS.
How will my price be set in future months?
We continue to watch the natural gas markets closely and will instruct our supplier to buy gas when we believe conditions are favorable. That means your rate is likely to vary from month-to-month. If we see a nice downturn in the markets we have the ability to lock-in fixed-rates for any remaining period of time. The formula shown above will be used to determine your price regardless of it being variable or a fixed rate. While Duke's rates change monthly, the Township's program has the option to fix rates if/when we feel that is in the best interest or our residents.
Can I remain on budget billing?
Yes. If you are on budget billing you will remain on budget billing. Cinergy reviews the prior 12 months billing history on a rolling basis. Your new rate for supply would be factored in as the months go by.
Can I exit this program without penalty?
Yes. A very attractive feature of our program is your ability to leave free of charge at any time for any reason. There are several "formal" opportunities to take yourself out of the program. First, when an offer is presented, you will have 21-days to opt-out by returning a card to IGS or making a toll-free phone call. If you do not opt-out, Duke will then send to new members a confirmation notice giving you 7 more days to cancel the switch. Furthermore, by law, you will be able to leave without penalty at least every two years. There is also no penalty if you move during the program, or decide to cancel at any time. Simply notify IGS.
This sounds complex. Is the Township qualified to handle such a program?
We have retained Independant Energy Consultants, Inc., a PUCO certified broker and aggregator of ntural gas, without using taxpayer money. They have designed, implemented, and administered similar successful gas and electric programs that serve over 100 times, communities all across Ohio. We will have their assistance and that of IGS Energy throughout the program.
Does the Township benefit from the program?
Yes. Our eligible Township facilities will be included in the program, and our consultant has helped us assess how we might lower our natural gas and electric consumption.
Will I have to participate in both the natural gas and electric programs?
No. The programs, while very similar, are separate. You will be able to participate in one program, both or none.
These FAQs help but I still have a question.
If you have additional questions, please call IGS at 1-800-280-4474, weekdays, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST. For general information on natural gas deregulation in Ohio, you can also visit the Web Sites of the Ohio Consumer's Counsel (www.pickocc.org), or the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (www.PUCO.ohio.gov). Please do not contact the township offices. We are pleased to have made this program possible, but IGS is best able to handle your calls and answer all of your questions.