Columbia Gas of Ohio said customers participating in itscustomer choice program have saved $11.8 million-an average ofabout 10% off monthly gas bills-since Columbia introduced theprogram in the Toledo area in April 1997 and expanded it to allcustomers last August. Customers have saved nearly $3 million sincethe expansion.

“The enthusiastic response to the program shows that consumersappreciate the value to be gained from comparison shopping forenergy. And the program’s results speak for themselves,” saidRobert C. Skaggs Jr., Columbia Gas of Ohio president and CEO.

Skaggs noted the Columbia program is the largest of its kind inthe nation, with some 250,000 customers enrolled, or nearly 20% ofthe company’s total customer base. Nearly 200,000 customers haveenrolled since the program was expanded.

“Customers seem to realize, in increasing numbers, that ourCustomer CHOICE program is bringing them the same economicdemocracy in energy purchasing that they already enjoy with mostother products and services. That’s consistent with our vision ofbecoming the best gas company in the country.”

Columbia Gas of Ohio is the largest gas utility in the state,serving nearly 1.3 million customers in 64 of Ohio’s 88 counties.

In Georgia, where Atlanta Gas Light’s 1.4 million customers wereallowed to choose alternative suppliers starting in November,62,000 gas customers, or about 4%, so far have elected to buy gasfrom alternative suppliers.

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