COPEC Notifies Residents of Program Suspension

In late 2010, five local municipalities will suspend a program that allows them to provide natural gas fixed rate prices for their residents.

The Central Ohio Public Energy Council (COPEC), a consortium of communities including Bexley, Dublin, Gahanna, Grandview Heights, and Upper Arlington, notified resident and business customers this week that the “Opt-Out” Natural Gas Aggregation Program with IGS Energy as their natural gas aggregator will be suspended on December 31, 2010.

COPEC member communities notified both IGS Energy and its third-party administrator, AMP Partners, of the pending program suspension this past April. Program suspension details and plans were finalized among all parties a few weeks ago.

COPEC sent letters notifying all resident and business customers of the program suspension and options to either stay with Columbia Gas of Ohio as their natural gas provider and marketer, or shop the market options for fixed or variable choice natural gas prices.

At the time we formed COPEC, there was limited competition among natural gas providers and prices were considered high and volatile. Our communities wanted more choice and a fixed rate,” said McDaniel, Deputy City Manager, City of Dublin.

Customers in those communities were then provided a “fixed price” alternative to Columbia Gas’ variable rate program.

“Today, there is significant competition and choice for fixed-rate programs and the natural gas market is at an all-time low, reducing the need for COPEC to serve in the role of aggregator,” McDaniel added.

COPEC communities intend to retain the option to serve as aggregators into the future, and will continue to monitor natural gas prices and competition.

There are 24,139 customers enrolled in the COPEC program.

All consumers can compare natural gas rates by supplier by visiting the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Website.

 

If you are Enrolled in the Program

  • Gas aggregate suspension notification letters from the City of Dublin were sent to residents enrolled in the program on September 21.

  • Your current rate on the program is scheduled to expire with your October 2010 billing period. The aggregate program with IGS Energy will officially end December 31, 2010.

  • We are pleased to announce your rate will be lowered to $0.772 for your November 2010 and December 2010 billing periods. The reduction equates to a 7% discount compared to your current rate.

  • You may choose to leave the program at any time with no penalty by calling IGS Energy at 1-800-280-4474 between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST. When you cancel, you will be returned to Columbia Gas of Ohio, and will purchase your natural gas at the Standard Service Offer (SSO) rate.

  • If you have not left the program by December 15, 2010, you will automatically be returned to Columbia Gas of Ohio and will purchase your natural gas at the Columbia SSO rate effective with your January 2011 billing period.

  • General information on natural gas deregulation in Ohio can be found at the Ohio Consumer’s Counsel’s website www.pickocc.org or the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) www.PUCO.ohio.gov

  •  The City of Dublin would like to thank you for your past participation in the program. If the city should ever decide in the future to re-instate its program you will be notified and given the opportunity to again participate.

 

 


Page Last Updated: Aug 24, 2011