Residents in nine northeast Ohio communities have to decide by Monday (Oct. 6) whether to join or withdraw from the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC), an energy aggregator, which was set up to provide natural gas to customers.

NOPEC selected Ohio-based Interstate Gas Supply (IGS) to provide gas for those participating in the program. Residents in the aggregated group are automatically included in the program and will be served by IGS unless they opt out of the program by Monday.

After the initial opt-out period, consumers who join the program will receive a letter from Dominion East Ohio notifying them that IGS will supply their natural gas. Consumers will have seven days from the postmark date to withdraw from the aggregation program at no cost, after which time a $25 fee will be charged.

Residents who opt out of the aggregated group will continue to purchase their natural gas supply from Dominion East Ohio. Whether residents participate in the buying group or not, Dominion East Ohio will continue to be the gas supplier.

Actual savings will vary depending on state and local taxes, the county where the service will be offered, whether the customer has received service from a non-utility supplier during the last 12 months, and any other utility adjustments, according to the NOPEC opt-out offer.

To help residents compare the offer, they can contact the OCC toll free at (877) 742-5622 or visit the web site at www.pickocc.org to use the interactive natural gas calculator for Dominion East Ohio to input the rate and determine if the IGS offer best meets their needs.

©Copyright 2003 Intelligence Press Inc. All rights reserved. The preceding news report may not be republished or redistributed, in whole or in part, in any form, without prior written consent of Intelligence Press, Inc.