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Account LoginNatural Gas Aggregation Information
Click here to view a current price comparison between Duke Energy and Energy Alliances.(as of August 2010)
November 2009 Price Comparison
Click here to view the Opt Out Notice that residents should have received from Energy Alliances.
Click here to view the Letter to Residents from Energy Alliances, this is NOT the Opt Out Notice, but merely expains the program.
What is natural gas aggregation and how does the process work?
What is the timeline for this process?
How and when can I provide input or ask questions about this process?
Will the delivery of natural gas to my home or business change or be disrupted during this process?
How will I be billed for natural gas service?
Will I automatically be enrolled in this group? What if I don't want to participate?
Once the process is complete and I have questions about my natural gas service, who do I contact?
What if I decide later to participate? Can I opt in to the program at a later time?
What if I decide later to end my participation in the group? Can I drop at anytime?
Links:
PUCO http://www.puco.ohio.gov/puco/Utilities/OneStop.cfm?OneStopKeyword=GA
Energy Alliances, Inc. – Integrys Energy Services, Inc. http://www.integrysenergy.com/
What is natural gas aggregation and how does the process work?
In November 2008, Wyoming voters passed legislation enabling the City of Wyoming to pursue the formation of an “opt out” aggregate program to purchase natural gas. This allows the City’s residents to purchase natural gas as a group, potentially saving money in the process. The City issued an informal Request for Qualifications to all certified natural gas suppliers and brokers doing business on the Duke Energy-Ohio system and recognized by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). The Law Committee of Council reviewed all submittals and ultimately recommended Energy Alliances, Inc. – Integrys Energy Services, Inc. be chosen to assist the City with this process and provide natural gas to the aggregate. City Council adopted a resolution on February 17, 2009 that authorized the City Manager to enter into a consulting and gas supply agreement with Energy Alliances, Inc. – Integrys Energy Services, Inc. PUCO then requires the aggregate to adopt a Plan of Operation and Governance, which must be adopted by City Council and requires two public hearings. Once this process is completed, the City will submit to PUCO the Plan of Operation and Governance along with an application for the City to become certified as a Natural Gas Aggregator. Following PUCO certification of the City of Wyoming as a Natural Gas Aggregator, all eligible customers will receive an opt out notice and will have twenty-one days to choose to decline participation or they will be enrolled in the aggregate program. Back to Top
What is the timeline for this process?
The city recently finalized the certification and gas supply timeline. Two public hearings were held on May 11 and May 18. City Council is expected to adopt the Plan of Operation and Governance by emergency ordinance at the June 15 meeting. This emergency passage will allow the legislation to go into effect immediately, which will allow the City’s aggregate group to purchase gas before the 2009 Winter season. Following the adoption of the plan by City Council, it must be sent to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) with an application requesting the City of Wyoming be certified as a Natural Gas Aggregator. Once the City is certified by PUCO, each eligible household will receive an “opt out” notice in the mail and will have twenty-one days to opt out of the program. Click here to view a sample opt-out notice.Those residents that do not opt out will be included in the aggregation group and will be switched to the new gas provider. It is anticipated that participants in this group will begin receiving natural gas from the new provider by October 2009.
Click here to view the Natural Gas Aggregation Timeline.
How and when can I provide input or ask questions about this process?
There were two public hearings scheduled for residents to ask questions and learn more about the gas aggregation program. Residents are also encouraged to contact Lynn Tetley, Assistant City Manager, at 842-1382 or by email should they need additional information regarding this program. Back to Top
Will the delivery of natural gas to my home or business change or be disrupted during this process?
The transition of the gas supply from Duke Energy to Energy Alliances, Inc. – Integrys Energy Services, Inc. will be seamless. There will be no difference in the delivery of natural gas to the homes or businesses of those participating in the aggregate program. Duke Energy will still serve as the distributor of the natural gas, will continue maintaining the distribution lines, and will respond to any issues or problems with gas service. Back to Top
How will I be billed for natural gas service?
Natural gas service for those in the aggregate program will continue to be billed by Duke Energy. The current rate of Energy Alliances, Inc. - Integrys Energy Services, Inc. will be noted on the monthly bill from Duke. Back to Top
Will I automatically be enrolled in this group? What if I don't want to participate?
All eligible Duke Energy customers will be included in the City of Wyoming’s aggregate group unless they opt-out of the program. Eligible customers are defined as Duke customers that: (1) are non-mercantile customers (use less than 5,000 ccf/year), (2) are current on their utility account (defined as those who are not delinquent on their utility bill by over $50), (3) are NOT Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) customers, AND (4) are not currently with an alternate natural gas supplier (through the many available Customer Choice providers). All residents and small businesses in the City that are eligible by this standard will be enrolled in the group unless they decide to opt out of the program. If a resident or business chooses to not participate, they should respond to the opt out notice they receive via mail in August (the actual date of the opt out period will be posted as it becomes available).Click here to view a sample opt-out notice. Back to Top
Once the process is complete and I have questions about my natural gas service, who do I contact?
Questions pertaining to the supply of natural gas, the lines providing the natural gas, billing, service outages, or leaks should continue being directed to Duke Energy. Questions about the aggregate program or the current rate for the supply of natural gas should be directed to Energy Alliances, Inc. – Integrys Energy Services, Inc. Back to Top
What if I decide later to participate? Can I opt in to the program at a later time?
Residential customers and small businesses that are not included in the aggregate program initially do have the option to participate at a later time, IF the current supply of natural gas can accommodate new enrollments at that time. Those interested in joining the aggregate program after its initial creation should contact Energy Alliances, Inc. – Integrys Energy Services, Inc. for information. Back to Top
What if I decide later to end my participation in the group? Can I drop at anytime?
Residential customers and small businesses that are included in the aggregate group may choose to end their participation at any time. To drop the program or for additional information on exiting the program, contact Energy Alliances, Inc. – Integrys Energy Services, Inc. Back to Top
