Choice Natural Gas Suppliers for Ohio Customers

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Fixed Rate Plan - A constant rate for the contracted period. Fluctuations in the market price will not affect your rate. If the market price increases, you are locked in at the lower rate.

Monthly Variable Capped Rate Plan - The billed rate will never exceed the listed cap rate in any month during the contract term. The actual billed rate will be lower than the cap rate when the market is lower than the capped rate.

Monthly Variable Rate Plan - Rates fluctuate monthly with the natural gas market. Your rate may increase or decrease with the trend of the market. Monthly rates are typically published 10 days prior to the month.

Variable Rate Plan - A fluctuating rate within the contracted period.

Standard Choice Offer (SCO) - Variable rate based on the monthly market price of natural gas plus a retail price adjustment (an adder).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Choice program?

The Choice program was designed to allow our customers to take full advantage of the open natural gas market. Just as you have choices of suppliers or vendors when buying other products and services, Choice allows Ohio customers access to suppliers of natural gas. The Choice program gives you the opportunity to select a supplier offering a pricing arrangement that’s most attractive to you.

Do I have to make a choice?

No. Participation is voluntary. If you don’t choose a supplier, one of three Standard Choice Offer (SCO) suppliers will supply your gas at the SCO price.

How is the SCO price determined?

The SCO price reflects the monthly settlement price* for natural gas plus a retail price adjustment of $0.130 per one hundred cubic feet (CCF). For example: If the July month-end settlement price for natural gas is $0.43 - when you include the adder of $0.116, the total SCO supplier rate for August is then $0.56 per CCF. The retail price adjustment (the adder) was determined in a competitive auction. The monthly natural gas settlement price will vary month-to-month with changes in supply and demand and other market conditions. As such, the SCO price is a variable price and will change each month as the gas market fluctuates. The three SCO suppliers are: AEP Energy, Direct Energy Services, Spire Energy. Regardless of the name of the supplier listed with the SCO line item, all suppliers’ monthly SCO prices are the same. Therefore, if a friend or neighbor is being served by an SCO supplier but a different supplier is listed, you both are still paying the same monthly SCO price for your natural gas

What other information is available to help me decide if I want to choose a supplier or stay with my SCO supplier?

For further assistance with making your choice, a straightforward " Apples to Apples" comparison of suppliers' offers, as well as a host of other information regarding your utility service, you may contact the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio at 1-800-686-7826. You may also contact the Ohio Consumers' Counsel at 1-877-742-5622 or utilize their "Calculating Your Energy Choices" comparison tool.

Why should I choose a gas supplier?

Potential savings and fixed price offers. The cost of the natural gas usually represents more than half of your monthly gas bill. You may be able to reduce that amount through the Choice program. Besides cost savings, suppliers might offer other incentives or attractive payment arrangements.

How much could I expect to save?

That depends on the supplier you choose, the program they offer and the current SCO price offered by your SCO supplier. Some suppliers may offer a flat rate for a certain amount of gas. Others may offer guaranteed savings or package incentives. Just remember, gas prices typically fluctuate in a competitive market, so the amount of your total savings might vary over time depending upon your supplier’s plan.

When can I choose a supplier?

You may sign-up through your chosen supplier anytime.

Are these savings guaranteed?

Only if the supplier you choose provides a guarantee. CenterPoint Energy cannot guarantee any offer made by suppliers.

How will I know if I’m eligible to choose a supplier?

If you live in CenterPoint Energy’s Ohio service area, you are eligible. Businesses using less than 150,000 CCF of natural gas annually are also eligible. Please note you are not eligible to participate in Choice if you have a past due gas balance on your account and have not entered into and honored a payment arrangement. Associated services can be enrolled.

Is there a fee associated with choosing a supplier?

There are no application or membership fees attached to your initial choice in the Choice program. In fact, some suppliers may offer you incentives to sign up.

Is the quality of gas the same?

Yes. The quality and safety of the gas remain constant, regardless of the supplier. Likewise, CenterPoint Energy will still provide safe and reliable delivery of the gas to your home and business.

What standards must natural gas suppliers meet?

First, all suppliers, whether they be an SCO or Choice supplier, must meet CenterPoint Energy’s qualifications for participation, and suppliers serving residential customers must be certified by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. All suppliers must agree to a Code of Conduct, which requires them to:

Clearly communicate customers’ rights and responsibilities

Refrain from fraudulent practices

Submit to a credit check

Provide a means to resolve disputes between the supplier and the customer

How is a Choice supplier different than an SCO supplier?

The SCO price is the same monthly price for all customers who have not signed up with a Choice supplier. This price, which reflects the market, is regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Natural gas is bought and sold in the commodity market, so different contracts may produce different pricing strategies. Choice suppliers are not regulated, so they can offer different pricing options. For example, you may be able to lock in your gas price for a year, or buy your gas priced on a seasonal basis rather than monthly. Suppliers may offer different rates to different types of customers.

If I choose a new supplier, what services will CenterPoint Energy provide?

CenterPoint Energy will still be your local gas utility. CenterPoint Energy will continue to offer the reliable services including responding to emergencies, being responsible for billing, reading meters and maintaining pipelines.

How can I learn about participating Choice suppliers?

Qualified Choice suppliers may contact you with information using advertising, direct mail, personal contact, or other customary means to promote their services. Or click here for a list of participating suppliers and contact them yourself. CenterPoint Energy will update the list as new suppliers qualify.

How do I choose another supplier through the Choice program?

It’s simple to choose: Just remember that you must enroll through a supplier, not CenterPoint Energy. You must enter into a contract with your supplier stating the terms and conditions of your purchase and provide the supplier your CenterPoint Energy account number. (Please note that these gas purchase agreements and their rates are currently not regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.)

How long will I have to stay with a new supplier, and can I change suppliers?

The length of your contract will be decided between you and your supplier. When your contract expires, you may change suppliers or keep the same supplier. If you no longer wish to remain with a Choice supplier, you will be placed with a Standard Choice Offer (SCO) supplier. The SCO price is calculated by adding the retail price adjustment of $0.116 per one hundred cubic feet (CCF) to the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) month-end settlement price for natural gas, as such, this price will fluctuate monthly as the market price moves. Read your supplier contract carefully to see if there might be a penalty for early termination.

If I change suppliers, how will I be billed?

Currently, all suppliers elect to bill on a CenterPoint Energy Energy Delivery bill. Your monthly bill will reflect charges from CenterPoint Energy for gas delivery charges and the cost of the natural gas as billed by your chosen supplier. In any event, you will continue to receive monthly invoices from CenterPoint Energy including traditional bill messages and inserts. Questions regarding your natural gas purchases should be directed to the supplier. Contact CenterPoint Energy for questions concerning safety, meter reading, service or gas delivery.

Can I still use CenterPoint Energy Delivery of Ohio’s Budget Bill?

Yes.

Can I still use Auto Pay to pay my gas bill?

Each supplier’s payment plans may differ. Unless you indicate otherwise, you will remain on Auto Pay (automatic bank draft) for any charges billed by CenterPoint Energy.

How can I be sure my gas supplier will be as reliable as CenterPoint Energy Delivery of Ohio?

All suppliers must meet stringent requirements to participate in the program, and suppliers serving residential customers must be certified by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. The Choice program has been designed to include safeguards to provide natural gas to participants even if natural gas is not received by the supplier.

What if I want CenterPoint Energy to be my gas supplier?

CenterPoint Energy is no longer supplying natural gas to customers in Ohio. Since 2008, CenterPoint Energy has been conducting an auction process whereby suppliers bid for the right to provide the natural gas commodity to customers who have not actively chosen a supplier. Four natural gas suppliers won the right to provide gas supply to CenterPoint Energy customers at the Standard Choice Offer (SCO) price. Those companies are DTE Gas Supply, Constellation New Energy, Spire Inc. and Direct Energy Services. This auction occurs every January.

What if I have a dispute with my Choice supplier?

First, contact the supplier to reach a solution. If the supplier fails to make a good-faith attempt to negotiate or resolve the issue, contact the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) or the Ohio Consumers' Counsel. Consumer complaints could lead to the termination of the supplier's participation in the Choice program. If the supplier's participation is terminated, its customers may be served by an SCO supplier. CenterPoint Energy will not terminate or interrupt the delivery of gas to you as a result of a dispute between you and your supplier.

What if I fail to honor the agreement with my Choice supplier?

As with any contractual agreement, both parties must honor the terms. Be sure to read the entire contract carefully to understand your rights to change suppliers or cancel under reasonable circumstances. Also, be aware of any cancellation fees that might apply. Your supplier agreement can be terminated for non-payment of any gas charges after a written notice is provided to you at least 14-days prior to such termination. In this event, you will receive your gas supply from one of three Standard Choice Offer suppliers. If you have any questions, request your answers in writing before you agree to a contract with a supplie.

Do I have to pay sales tax?

Organizations that are tax exempt from paying sales or use tax must relay this information to their SCO supplier or inform their supplier of this status when selecting an alternate supplier through the Choice program. It is the customer’s responsibility to provide proper documentation to the Choice or the SCO supplier.

What about disputes or unpaid charges?

If you have a dispute with either your supplier or CenterPoint Energy it is imperative that you pay all of your monthly charges to avoid being disconnected or terminated from the Choice program. This could lead to accruing late payment fees.

What is CenterPoint Energy’s default sales service price?

CenterPoint Energy’s default sales service price is similar to the SCO price in that it is calculated by adding the retail price adjustment of $0.116 per one hundred cubic feet (CCF) to the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) month-end settlement price for natural gas. The only difference is that there is no supplier assigned to the default sales service. Customers who are not eligible for the Choice program will receive CenterPoint Energy’s default sales service.

What is aggregation or government aggregation?

Aggregation is the process in which natural gas is sold to consumers who have joined together as a group to buy a product. Because customers in Ohio can participate in the natural gas Choice program, cities, counties, villages and townships can establish aggregation programs, or buying groups, individually or with others. These programs allow residential and small business customers to combine their purchasing power to achieve savings on natural gas costs. Click here to learn more about aggregation.

Can I avoid being solicited by gas suppliers over the phone?

Yes. You can submit your request by sending us a message online noting your desire to opt out in the message field, contacting CenterPoint Energy Customer Service at 1-800-227-1376 or submitting a written request by mail to CenterPoint Energy, Choice Program Administration, P.O. Box 209, Evansville, IN 47702-0209. Suppliers get regular updates of this list and are not allowed to call customers on this list to solicit them by telephone.

Choice Rate Plans for Ohio Customers

Frequently Asked Questions