The City of Orrville’s Natural Gas Aggregation Program Update

The City of Orrville is once again providing it’s residents with the opportunity to participate with other municipalities in a natural gas governmental aggregation program, with Interstate Gas Supply, Inc. as the supplier of gas.

Under governmental aggregation, the City of Orrville acts on behalf of natural gas consumers in the community to negotiate a gas supply contract with eligible suppliers. Both the City of Orrville and eligible retail gas suppliers have to be certified by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Orrville’s City Council passed an ordinance adopting this program and Orrville voters approved the implementation of the program. The sixth aggregation program for Orrville will begin with the November 2011 billing period and end with the October 2012 billing period.

 If you are currently enrolled in the City of Orrville Natural Gas Aggregation Program, you will automatically be enrolled into the new program unless you choose to “opt out” - that is, to not participate. There is no cost for enrollment. If you are currently enrolled with the City of Orrville Aggregation Program and want to be excluded, you must contact IGS at 1-800-280-4474.

 If you are not currently enrolled and would like to be included in the program, please call IGS at 1-800-280-4474 to obtain the eligibility requirements and enrollment procedures.

Starting with the November 2011 billing cycle, the new rate will be $5.59 per MCF, plus applicable taxes and Dominion charges. Unlike Dominion’s rate which changes with the market price of gas each month, this rate will remain fixed at $5.59 per MCF through the October 2012 billing period.

Under this aggregation, Dominion will continue to maintain the pipeline system that delivers the natural gas. You will continue to receive a single bill from Dominion for natural gas service, and it will include the gas supply charge from IGS and sales tax. Customers continue to contact Dominion regarding loss of gas service, odor of gas, or any other concerns or issues having to do with you local service. Budget billing and automatic billing options will continue to be available through Dominion.

 If you have any questions please call IGS at 1-800-280-4474, weekdays, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For general information on natural gas deregulation in Ohio, you can also visit the Web Sites for the Ohio Consumer’s Counsel www.pickocc.org or the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio  www.puco.ohio.gov .

 

ANSWERS TO COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Aggregation?
Aggregation is simply combining the usages of many customers into a buying group. Aggregation groups can be made up of various types of customers in similar circumstances, but for the purpose of the City’s program, the aggregation group consists of eligible residential and small commercial customers who reside within the corporation limits. The goal and purpose of forming an aggregation group is to attain negotiating power with potential suppliers by having a larger amount of energy to purchase.

What is Municipal Opt-Out Aggregation?
Municipal Opt-Out Aggregation is a method of forming an aggregation group. This particular method is based on the assumption that all eligible customers will be included in the group, unless they specifically decline to participate (hence the name “opt-out”). Because the Opt-Out Aggregation method makes an assumption that includes all customers unless they decline, the program has to be administered by some municipal authority - in this case - Orrville Utilities. This authority was approved by the majority of voters in November of 2003.

What role does Dominion East Ohio have in this program?
Dominion East Ohio will continue to own and operate the delivery system, read your meter and send you a bill. They will also continue to collect a charge for this delivery service, which is approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

What will I pay for energy from an alternate supplier under the Opt-Out Aggregation program?
The gas supply cost will be determined during negotiations with a supplier. The price will be communicated to all eligible customers during the signup process, and you will have three weeks to decide whether you want to accept the offer and participate in the Opt-Out program, or decline to participate. If you decline to participate, you may continue to receive gas supply from Dominion East Ohio, or you may choose another supplier on your own.