|
Residential
Electric Supply
Since 2001,
the Northwest Ohio Aggregation Coalition (NOAC) has provided
an alternative supplier to Toledo Edison for generation of
electrical power. NOAC
is a consortium of communities who have banded together to
contract for power supply and includes Lucas County
Commissioners, the cities of Toledo, Sylvania, Oregon,
Perrysburg, and other entities. At the end of 2005, the NOAC
contract expired with First Energy Solutions and Toledo
Edison is the power supplier for all NOAC’s
communities.
In 2005, the
Ohio Public Utilities Commission approved the application of
Toledo Edison/First Energy for a ‘rate stabilization
plan’. This
effectively eliminated competition for electrical energy
suppliers in the state at this time.
Many suppliers have stopped offering power to Ohio
customers and their customers have been switched to Toledo
Edison for electric generation.
NOAC customers were also returned to Toledo Edison
for electric generation in 2006. NOAC
will continue its search for alternative electric energy suppliers.
Commercial Electric Supply
In June, 2007, NOAC initiated an electric supply
program for small commercial customers within the
City/County. This is an "opt-out" program
meaning that the electric supplier for all eligible accounts
will be switched to First Energy (NOAC) unless the account
holder opts-out of the program. First Energy (NOAC)
will supply power at a rate 3% less than the Toledo Edison
"Generation" rate. The power generation
portion of the Edison bill is about 33% of the total.
All small commercial customers are subject to the opt-out
enrollment which ends June 25, 2007. Letters to all
eligible customers were sent to the billing address provided
by Toledo Edison. Customers who wish to be supplied
electric power from a source other than NOAC must
"opt-out". Additional information is available at
the PUCO website listed below.
November
2007 Update: Due to a change in the law, the PUCO
changed its rules late in 2007 regarding notices to certain
existing small commercial customers. In November,
2007, a few customers with multiple locations
in the service area were sent an OPT-IN notice from NOAC.
Those customers must "Opt-In" in order to be
supplied by NOAC and must fill out the Opt-In form and
return it to the Akron address on the form by December 12,
2007.
Residential
Natural Gas Supply
In 2005, a
governmental aggregation program was started for Maumee for
natural gas through NOAC. In March, 2005, NOAC
contacted gas customers who had Columbia as their gas
supplier to announce the program. Gas customers who
had other suppliers were not contacted. Residents who
did not "opt-out" became part of the group
supplied through NOAC. NOAC contracted with Interstate
Gas Supply Company for gas supply for two years, which was
billed by Columbia as "Interstate Gas (NOAC)."
In March,
2007, NOAC contracted again with Interstate Gas for two
years to provide the natural gas to be delivered by
Columbia. The price of the gas supplied is based on
Columbia's Gas Recovery Cost less 3.5˘ per ccf (hundred
cubic feet). Columbia's price may fluctuate and so
will the price of Interstate Gas (NOAC).
In March,
2007, Interstate Gas (IGS Energy) sent letters again to NOAC
customers and to customers with Columbia as their gas
supplier. This letter offered the option to
"opt-out" of the NOAC supplier program.
Those who did not "opt-out" are included in the
program with Interstate Gas (NOAC) as the gas supplier with
a rate 3.5˘ less than the Gas Cost Recovery rate of
Columbia.
Other gas
supply companies offer a variety of supply contracts with
fixed and variable rates for various terms. The Public
Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) provides information
about the suppliers, their offers, and other gas consumer
information. Much of this information is available at
the PUPCO website: www.puco.ohio.gov
or by phone 1-800-686-PUCO (7826).
Columbia Gas
identifies the gas supplier on each bill.
You may contact that company with any questions.
Or you may call Interstate Gas (1-800-280-4474) to
find out if you are enrolled or eligible to sign up for the
Northwest Ohio Aggregation Coalition (NOAC) program.
October
2007 Update: In its continuing effort to
increase enrollment, NOAC periodically sends
"opt-out" letters to gas accounts that list
Columbia as the supplier of gas. This letter describes
the program and the "opt-out" procedure.
This letter is not sent to accounts currently supplied by
NOAC. Letters are not sent to accounts that are not
"paid up" or "current."
The price available through NOAC is based on the Columbia
supply rate and is at least 3.5 cents per ccf less than the
Columbia rate. Just as the Columbia price fluctuates,
the NOAC rate may also change.
Office
of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel
A great
resource for consumers - the Consumer Assistance
Handbook. This handbook provides information about how
to read and understand your utility bills and utility
meters; information on utility assistance programs and
energy efficiency. There's also a resource list with
information about other agencies and organizations. To view the handbook on line, go to:
www.pickocc.org/publications/handbook
The utility billing process can cause confusion or
concern. You can call the Office of the Ohio
Consumers' Counsel (OCC) toll-free hotline for help with
your utility disputes or questions. If you have a
complaint or question about charges on your telephone bill,
a meter reading problem or you need additional information
about your utility service, the OCC can help.
Customer Service Representatives can be reached toll-free at
1-877-PICKOCC (742-5622) or by email at: occ@occ.state.oh.us
and are to respond to consumers' questions about utility
services.
You can access utility information 24 hours a day, seven
days a week through the OCC's automated Call Center.
The Call Center's active voice response system allows
consumers to, among many other options, request materials
about specific utility issues, such as participating in
natural gas choice programs and selecting a long distance
telephone provider. You can also request free consumer
assistance publications. The OCC website is another
helpful alternative: www.pickocc.org
Public
Utilities Commission of Ohio
Information
is available from the PUCO’s website including
‘Apples-to-Apples Comparisons” and calculation
worksheets.
Go to http://www.puco.ohio.gov/puco/applestoapples/
11/27/07 |