Natural Gas & Electric Aggregation Programs
In November 2005, West Chester residents voted in favor of an "opt-out" aggregation program for the community. This action at the voting booth meant that West Chester Township, joining with Springfield and Colerain townships, would coordinate efforts to purchase natural gas and/or electric as a group. Customers in the program were not guaranteed savings as a result of the program.
The "opt-out" provision of the program required that residents were automatically included in the program unless they took action to be excluded, i.e. returning a postcard or phoning a toll free hotline.
West Chester first offered eligible residents and businesses a natural gas aggregation program in 2006. An electric aggregation program was added in 2010. The Township partners with Independent Energy Consultants, a certified broker of natural gas and electricity.
New residents to the community will not be automatically enrolled in the aggregation program. New residents will receive standard Duke/PUCO rates for gas and electric or they can phone the numbers provided below to be enrolled in the Township aggregation programs.
Electric Aggregation Program
West Chester Township Board of Trustees approved an amended contract Feb. 28, 2012 with FirstEnergy Solutions to provide electric to the Township's aggregation program. The new contract sets the retail price for electricity for those in the aggregation program at $.0524/kWh through December 2013. The previous rate for the West Chester electric aggregation program was $.062/kWh.
Those currently enrolled in the Township's electric aggregation program will remain in the program at this new price. No action is required to take advantage of the new pricing for consumers already enrolled in the program.
In late 2011, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) approved Duke Energy's Electric Security Plan to continue to effectuate the deregulation of public utilities in Ohio. A condition of the plan required Duke Energy to auction its electric supply which resulted in Duke Energy's electricity rates being more competitive with other suppliers.
The West Chester Board of Trustees wanted the electorate to be aware of this change in the market. As consumers, even consumers of the Township electric aggregation program, it is important to be informed in order to make the best choice. Please visit the PUCO website to learn more about the options available.
Residents may choose to exit the program at any time without penalty.
For specific questions about the electric aggregation program, call 1-866-636-3749.
West Chester Electric Aggregation Usage Report shows average monthly customer costs.
Frequently Asked Questions about Electric Aggregation
Natural Gas Aggregation Program
Interstate Gas Supply (IGS) was selected as our supplier through a competitive bid process involving Independent Energy Consultants, a certified broker of natural gas and electricity working with the program. IGS will supply natural gas for the aggregation partners through the April 2014 billing period.
Residents will receive just one bill from Duke Energy regardless of whether they are enrolled in the aggregation program or not.
Residents may choose to exit the program at any time without penalty. There are several formal opportunities to "opt out" or residents may call IGS and request to exit the program.
Residents who are newly eligible or who previously "opted out" may request to enroll in the aggregation program at any time. IGS Energy will try to accommodate residents in this case, but reserves the right to decline late enrollments depending on market conditions.
To "Opt Out" or Enroll in West Chester's Natural Gas Aggregation Program, call IGS Energy at 1-800-280-4474. When enrolling, request IGS Energy - Rate IS23.
Who is eligible for the program?
Your utility company must be Duke Energy
You must be a resident or qualifying business located within West Chester Township limits;
You must NOT have already chosen a natural gas supplier on your own;
You must NOT be a Percentage of Income Payment Program (PIPP) customer;
You must NOT be arrears on your bill payment; and
You must NOT be a mercantile customer using over 5,000 CCF/year.
West Chester Natural Gas Aggregation Usage Report shows average monthly customer costs.
Frequently Asked Questions about Natural Gas Aggregation.
