Streetsboro -- Residents have until April 30 to decide whether they want to participate in the city's gas aggregation program.
Streetsboro has selected Direct Energy as the natural gas supplier for its residential and small business aggregation program, according to Tom Bellish, president of Buckeye Energy, which is administering Streetsboro's aggregation program.
A variable rate of $11.436 per thousand cubic feet has been set for the first month (June) of the two-year natural gas aggregation agreement, states the news release.
Bellish said the $11.436 rate doesn't include a $3 per thousand cubic feet charge for transportation of the gas and a county sales tax of 6.75 percent.
Dominion East Ohio will stop supplying natural gas in March 2009, according to Bellish.
Dominion's rate is about $14.57 per thousand cubic feet of gas through May 15, according to the Public Utility Commission of Ohio's "Apples to Apples" Web site, www.puco.ohio.gov.
After the June billing cycle, the price will remain variable unless the city selects a long-term stable price with Direct Energy, states the news release.
All current Dominion East Ohio residential and small business customers will automatically be enrolled unless they call Direct Energy to be excluded from the aggregation program by April 30, according to Bellish.
Dominion customers who do not want to participate will need to "opt out" of the program by calling Direct Energy at 1-866-760-6040.
Consumers currently served by a gas supplier other than Dominion and wish to switch to the aggregation program, may "opt in" to the program by calling call Direct Energy at 1-866-803-4618 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
Bellish said customers who wish to opt in or out of the city's aggregation program may do so after April 30 by calling Direct Energy.
Those wishing to seek their own supplier can visit www.puco.ohio.gov/puco/applestoapples/index.cfm for price and comparisons of suppliers.
Streetsboro residents and small businesses are receiving information this month, describing the program. Consumers who enroll in Direct Energy's natural gas program will continue to be billed by Dominion. Direct Energy's charges will appear as a line item on the bill, states the news release.
Bellish said the city received three other bids from Vectren Source of Evansville, Ind.; Commerce Energy of Houston; and Volunteer Energy of Pickerington.
"Through an open market, Direct Energy was able to develop products and services that match the diverse energy needs of Streetsboro consumers," said Mike Beck, vice president and general manager of Direct Energy.
According to the news release, Direct Energy and city officials have negotiated a two-year contract that includes:
* An additional discount of 10 cents per thousand cubic feet off the initial commodity price for those age 65 and older who are the primary owners of their residence.
* A $50 gift card that can be applied toward a 15-point home heating and air conditioning tune-up package, service repairs or equipment purchases through Direct Energy.
* Streetsboro residents can choose to offset their carbon dioxide emissions from their home's natural gas usage by taking part in Direct Energy's Carbon Neutral Gas Program for an additional 50 cents per thousand cubic feet.