Officials sign deal for natural gas savings

The program began this month.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LIBERTY -- Some township residents may see a savings in their heating bills next winter because of the township's deal with a utility conglomerate.
Township officials have officially inked a deal with the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council for the purchase of natural gas.
Buying natural gas and electricity from such a conglomerate was placed before and approved by voters in November.
June Smallwood, parks and special projects administrator, said NOPEC is made up of communities that combine purchasing power to realize savings in utility costs. She said trustees went with NOPEC because of its track record in dealing with municipalities of equal or greater size.
The township will not be acquiring electricity through NOPEC. Smallwood said township trustees felt it was more important to act immediately on securing a lower rate for natural gas because of soaring natural gas prices.
"The trustees feel that this is the best protection we can give our residents by bartering for a low, secure rate that will be beneficial to them in the next heating season," she said.
Here's the deal
NOPEC has signed a two-year contract to buy natural gas from Dominion East Ohio. The conglomerate will buy gas at a fixed rate of $9.70 per 1,000 cubic feet for seven months. After seven months, the rate will be renegotiated for the remaining 17-month period.
The two-year period for the agreement began this month.
Those township residents who want to be included in the program need not take any action. Residents will receive a confirmation letter detailing the automatic switch to the program in a matter of weeks.
Those residents who do not want to participate in the NOPEC program can send NOPEC a letter opting out of the service.
Township residents already under contract with a different third party supplier will not be automatically switched to the NOPEC plan and will not be contacted by NOPEC. Those individuals under a third-party agreement must break that contract then contact NOPEC if they wish to be included in the program.
Smallwood suggests that those residents under a third-party agreement weigh any cost associated with breaking that contract and their current rate against the rate being offered by NOPEC before deciding to join the NOPEC program.
jgoodwin@vindy.com