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Deadline set for gas deal
HUBBARD — About 4,000 utility customers in the city could benefit from a lower natural-gas price through Vectren Source. But to be included in the program, each customer must return an enrollment card before July 21.
Jan Bolchak, director of the city’s Department of Public Safety, said forms were mailed out to city residents who may “opt in” or “opt out” of the natural gas aggregation program. Customers should return the cards or call toll-free at (866) 200-5368.
Bolchak said she worked with Buckeye Energy Brokers Inc., an Ohio-certified energy broker, which helps local governments with deregulated energy consulting. She said after checking services and prices, Vectren Source was selected.
“We researched and found what best suited the city,” Bolchak said. The program enables the city to get competitively priced natural gas.
Vectren will be the natural-gas supplier for two years, beginning with the August 2009 billing. The cost is $6.84 per thousand cubic feet. That fixed rate will be in place for the first year, continuing through the July 2010 billing cycle. Near the end of the first year, the city will evaluate whether it should endorse a monthly variable price or set a new stable price. Both depend on market conditions at the time.
Late-comers may enroll in the program, Bolchak said. “But the risk of waiting is not locking in at this rate.”
Dominion East Ohio Gas will continue to deliver natural gas through its pipelines, read meters and respond to emergencies. Customers’ natural-gas bills also will continue to come from Dominion, including Vectren Source charges. Dominion also will continue to offer budget and automatic-billing options.
Bolchak said residents who enroll in the gas aggregation program will receive a confirmation letter from Dominion noting the transfer to Vectren Source.
“We have received positive response from residents,” Bolchak said, noting that the program is “completely voluntary.”
The city has its own electric department, Bolchak said, so there will be no electric-aggregation program.
Mayor Arthur Magee, service director Lanier Epperson and Bolchak make up the city’s board of control, which signed the contract with Vectren. The city passed a resolution in April to allow the board of control to negotiate the arrangement.