Springfield Township's Natural Gas Aggregation Program

Account Type	Current Program  (April 2008 - March 2010) Year-to-Date Savings
Average Residential Account	$124.02
Average Commercial Account	$287.96
Total Community	$784,821

Whom do I call if I have a problem with my natural gas service?
Duke will continue to deliver your natural gas and maintain the pipeline system that brings it to your home or business.  You will continue to call Duke 800-774-1202 for emergency repairs, gas leaks, service turn on or turn off, etc.  

Who is the natural gas supplier for the Township’s program?
Interstate Gas Supply (IGS) a large privately held company with headquarters in Dublin, Ohio was selected to serve the township.  They are certified by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, currently supply customers in the Cincinnati area, and have served many governmental aggregation programs across Ohio.

Will it cost me to join the program?
No. Enrollment in the program is free and you need not take any action during the opt-out periods. If you’re not sure if you are currently in the program and would like to join please call IGS at 800-280-4474.You only need to be eligible to participate.  Please refer to the eligibility criteria shown below.

Who is eligible for the program?
You must be a resident or business owner located within the township limits.  Furthermore, you must have received an opt-out notice from IGS.  Here are the criteria for eligibility:
1.    you must not have already chosen a natural gas supplier on your own;
2.    you must not be a PIPP (percentage of income payment program) customer;
3.    you must not be in arrears on your bill payment; and
4.    you must not be a mercantile customer (natural gas commercial accounts using over 5,000 CCF/year)

How long is the program?
The township’s governmental aggregation program can go on indefinitely.  The program was started in April 2006. The program was renewed for and additional two years in 2008 and will end with your March 2010 billing period.

What if I don’t want to participate?
If you do not want to participate you will have 21 days during the opt-out period, in which to return a reply card to IGS or call them toll free at 800-280-4474.  If you fail to do that during that time, IGS will enroll you as their customer.  Duke will acknowledge the enrollment and send you a confirmation letter reminding you of the pending switch.  That letter will mention that you can cancel the switch by contacting Duke within 7 days.

Will I get two bills?
No. For your convenience, you will continue to receive only one bill from Duke.  It will show Duke’s delivery charges and the supply charge amount owed IGS.  

How much will I save?
We make no promises, but experience has shown that most of the 200 plus governmental aggregation programs around Ohio save their residents modest amounts.  It depends on how good the offers are, what the utility charges and finally what the customer uses.  These programs won’t make you rich or change your lifestyle.  The savings do add up collectively and bring a great deal of disposable income back to the community.  It also provides the ability to lock in stable fixed rates when desired.  Finally, these programs let suppliers and the local utility know that you believe in competition and customer choice.

What is my initial price for gas?
That price compares favorably to the current Gas Cost Recovery (GCR) charged by Duke.  Duke’s GCR changes monthly and could be higher or lower in subsequent months.

Can I remain on budget billing?
Yes.  If you are on budget billing you will remain on budget billing.  Duke reviews the prior 12 months billing history on a rolling basis.  Your new rate for supply would be factored in as the months go by.

Can I exit this program without penalty?
Yes, you may leave free of charge on several occasions.  First, when an offer is presented you will have 21-days to opt-out of the program by returning a card to IGS or making a toll-free phone call.   If you do not opt-out Duke will then send you a confirmation notice giving you 7 more days to cancel the switch.  Then, by law, you will be able to leave without penalty at least every two years.  There is also no penalty if you move during the program, or cancel during a variable priced month.

What is the biggest risk if I join the program?
There are risks in every decision we make, or fail to make.  In this case there is no guarantee of saving.  Despite finding an attractive rate initially; Duke’s prices could drop lower than the township’s rate at times.  We addressed this concern by negotiating the ability to leave the program free of charge.

Will I have to participate in both the natural gas and electric programs?
No.  The programs while very similar are separate.  You will be able to participate in one program, both or none.

This sounds complex is the township qualified to handle such a program?
The township has retained Independent Energy Consultants, Inc. a PUCO certified broker and aggregator of natural gas and electricity - without using any taxpayer money.  Their founder has designed, implemented, and administered dozens of successful programs elsewhere in Ohio.  We will have their assistance and that of IGS throughout the program.

Does the township benefit from the program?
Yes.  Our eligible township facilities will be included in the program, and our consultant is helping us assess how we might lower our natural gas and electric consumption.

These FAQs help but I still have a question?
If you have additional questions please call IGS at 1-800-280-4474, weekdays, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST. For general information on natural gas deregulation in Ohio, you can also visit the Web Sites of the Ohio Consumer’s Counsel, or the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

What is Aggregation?

Learn More About Springfield Township's Electric Aggregation Program