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1. Who is the natural gas supplier for the City’s program?

Constellation (Constellation New Energy – Gas Division, LLC) continues to serve our community’s program. The current program will run through the November 2019 bill cycle. Constellation is certified by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, and currently supplies customers and governmental aggregation programs across Ohio.

2. What are Governmental Natural Gas Aggregation Programs?

Governmental Aggregations allow an entire community, groups of communities, or a county to join together to form one large buying group. Once voters authorize an aggregation, elected officials are then permitted to shop for natural gas on behalf of their residents and small businesses.

3. What are the benefits of Gas Aggregation?

As a large buying group, residents participating in an Aggregation have more buying power. The aggregation is in a better position to negotiate favorable pricing and supply terms than what could ordinarily be achieved by any one individual resident.

4. What are the different types of Aggregations?

In Ohio there are two types of Aggregations. A community may conduct an “Opt-Out” program or an “Opt-In” program. With Opt-Out programs, each eligible resident is automatically enrolled in the program unless they notify the supplier that they do not wish to participate. With Opt-In programs, each resident must notify the supplier to actively enroll in the program. Opt-Out Aggregations are the most common types of aggregation programs because they result in higher participation that usually results in lower rates.

5. What does a community need to do to become an Aggregator?

For starters, a community must obtain the approval of voters to form a natural gas aggregation program. Community leaders are then permitted to proceed through a series of steps to become certified by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio as a Governmental Natural Gas Aggregator.

6. Whom do I call if I have a problem with my natural gas service?

Dominion Energy Ohio (DEO) 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 DEO 1-877-542-2630 for emergency repairs or gas leaks. For non-emergencies such as billing questions, service turn on or turn off, call 1-800-362-7557.

7. How long is the program?

The City’s Governmental Aggregation Program can go on indefinitely. This program with Constellation is for 2 years and will end with your November 2019 billing period.

8. Does our community benefit from the program?

Yes. Our eligible community-owned facilities can be included in the program.

9. My friend lives in a nearby community and has a different rate from Constellation than mine. Why?

Natural gas prices are highly volatile. Market rates change often and quickly. Price differences between communities will vary based primarily on the contract term and the dates on which pricing was secured for the community.

10. What happens if I’m part of the program and I move?

A resident moving within the same community can stay in the aggregation by providing Constellation with their new address. If a resident moves out of the community or does not provide Constellation their new address, their participation will end and no early termination fee will apply.

11. This sounds complex. Is our community qualified to handle such a program?

We have retained Independent Energy Consultants, Inc., a PUCO certified broker and aggregator of electric and natural gas, without using any taxpayer money. They have designed, implemented, and administered similar successful gas and electric programs that impact over 100 communities across Ohio. We will have their assistance and that of Constellation Energy throughout the program.

12. Who should I talk to if these FAQs haven't answered my question?

If you have additional questions please call Constellation at 1-844-467-4294. Customer Service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For general information on natural gas deregulation in Ohio, you can visit the Web Sites of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, or the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Please do not contact our offices. We are pleased to have made this program possible, but are not prepared to handle calls.