What is Dominion East Ohio Energy Choice?

Energy Choice allows you to comparison shop for natural gas just like you do for other goods and services. If you choose to buy your natural gas from a competitive natural gas supplier, Dominion East Ohio will still provide the pipelines and other equipment to transport natural gas to your home. No additional pipelines or meters will be needed if you decide to switch. If you experience any service problems or emergencies, Dominion will still respond to your needs.

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What Are My Options for Buying Natural Gas?

You have several options:

• Select a certified natural gas supplier. By electing to choose a competitive natural gas supplier, you may have the ability to reduce the price you pay for natural gas, which constitutes approximately 60 percent to 70 percent of your total monthly charges. You will continue to pay Dominion East Ohio for the delivery of natural gas to your home.
• Join an aggregated group. Local governments can pool residents and businesses together as a buying group for the purchase of natural gas. The aggregator/local government will enter into a contract with a certified natural gas supplier on behalf of everyone in the group.
• An affinity aggregated buying group. This type of aggregation makes group buying power available to churches, schools, and membership-based groups. Only members of that group are eligible for this offer.
• Most Residential customers may purchase gas through the Standard Choice Offer. The price you pay for natural gas will continue to be regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).

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Who Can Participate in Energy Choice?

Only Dominion East Ohio customers who are current, meaning there are no balances due from previous months, or customers who have entered into a plan with Dominion East Ohio to pay off any balances due and have not broken more than one payment plan in the prior 12 months, can participate in Energy Choice. Also, you cannot be currently enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP Plus), a low-income payment assistance plan.

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Who Are “Certified Natural Gas Suppliers”?

"Certified natural gas suppliers" are competitive retail natural gas suppliers that have been certified by the PUCO to participate in Dominion East Ohio's Energy Choice program. The Ohio Consumers Counsel offers a list of certified natural gas suppliers updated every week. This list also includes the suppliers' current rates, types of offers and length of contracts. You can also estimate what your bill would be like from that supplier and compare it to Dominion East Ohio's rate for one month. Contact the OCC toll free at 1-877-PICKOCC or visit www.pickocc.org for these tools.

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What Kinds of Offers are Available From Competitive, Certified Natural Gas Supplier?

Currently, certified natural gas suppliers are offering these rates:

• Fixed Rate - This price per unit of natural gas is guaranteed not to change for the length of your contract. Contract periods typically range from six months to three years.
• Variable Rate – This offer includes a price per unit of natural gas that can change based on a variety of conditions. Before picking this rate, ask the supplier how often the rate is subject to change and what factors will cause the rate to change.
• Incentive Offers – Some suppliers may include additional incentives or discounts. For instance, the supplier may include a certain month of the year for free or offer a rebate at the end of the contract.

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What Questions Should I Ask a Certified Natural Gas Supplier Before Making a Decision?

Before you select a certified natural gas supplier, ask these important questions:

• Is there a fee to sign up?
• Is there a fee or charge if I decide to switch back to Dominion East Ohio, to another natural gas supplier or to a governmental aggregation?
• What is the length of the contract?
• What is the rate for natural gas per thousand cubic feet (mcf)?
• Is the offer a flat rate for a certain period of time or will the price fluctuate?
• Is there a fee to cancel the contract?
• What happens when my contract expires?
• Does my contract automatically renew?
• If I have a billing problem, whom should I contact?
• What are the terms and conditions of the contract?
• What if I move before the contract expires?

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Once I’ve Selected a Supplier, How Do I Enroll?

You may be able to enroll by telephone, mail, fax, Internet or with a door-to-door representative. Whichever method is used, it is critical that you obtain a copy of your contract and keep it through the duration of your service contract. Once you've enrolled with a supplier, the supplier will notify Dominion East Ohio of the switch. Dominion East Ohio will then mail you a letter confirming your choice to purchase natural gas from a competitive retail natural gas supplier, the supplier chosen and the date the switch will become effective. You then have seven business days from the postmark date on that letter to cancel your contract without penalty. To cancel the contract you must contact Dominion East Ohio.

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What Happens When my Contract With a Natural Gas Supplier Ends?

You will need to review your contract terms and conditions and look for information about what happens at the end of the contract period and for any automatic renewal provisions. If your contract does not have a renewal provision, you will be returned to Dominion East Ohio at the end of the contract period. However, automatic renewals are common in supplier contracts. If your contract has an automatic renewal provision it is important to read all materials carefully and understand any changes and notification requirements. Keep in mind, your supplier is required to provide you with a notice by mail that your original contract is ending. In most instances, that notice will contain information about automatically renewing your contract. If the renewal notice contains no material changes, such as an increase in a fixed rate, a change from a fixed to a variable rate or any new fees, from your original contract and is for a period of six months or longer, the supplier is required to send you a notice about your new contract's expiration by mail at least 45 days before your original contract ends.

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Can I Switch to Another Natural Gas Supplier Before the End of my Contract Period?

Yes. You can switch to another natural gas supplier at any time, but there may be penalties for doing so. Depending on the supplier, you may be charged a cancellation fee to end your contract early. Check your contract to determine the amount of the fee. If you move directly from one natural gas supplier to another, the actual switch will not take place until the next billing cycle. At no time during the switch should you experience a disruption in your natural gas service.

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If I Sign Up With a Certified Natural Gas Supplier and the Monthly SCO Rate Falls Below the Rate I am Currently Paying, Can I Go Back to the SCO?

If you are a residential customer that uses less than 3,000 MCF of natural gas a year and were enrolled in the Energy Choice program with an opt-out option and cancelled your contract, or the contract expired, you will receive the Standard Service Offer (SSO) for up to two months. With the third bill, you will move to SCO commodity service. If you were enrolled in an Energy Choice program with an opt-in option and cancelled your contract, or the contract expired, you will receive the Standard Service Offer (SSO) for up to two months. With the third bill, you will be assigned to a supplier at the supplier's unregulated Monthly Variable Rate (MVR). You may request to be placed on SCO by contacting Dominion East Ohio. However, depending on your supplier and the terms and conditions outlined in your contract, there may be cancellation fees or other costs. You should try calling your supplier first to discuss your rate. The supplier is under no legal obligation to lower its rate, but some companies may be willing to work with you. Remember, the SCO rate changes every month and there is no way of knowing what the next month's rate will be. Also, it takes about 30 - 60 days for a change in supplier to take effect. Before you make any decisions, you should take into consideration any fees you would be required to pay to end the contract early and whether you think the rate you signed up for will produce savings over the course of the contract period.

Nonresidential and large volume customers whose Energy Choice or aggregation contract expires will receive the Standard Service Offer (SSO) for up to two months. With the third bill, these customers will be assigned to a supplier at the supplier’s MVR. Nonresidential and large volume customers may not request the SCO.

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