Ohio is home to a diverse natural gas supply chain. It has more than 26,000 gas producing wells, 24 natural gas processing plants, 10 gas storage sites and 14,000 miles of pipelines. Natural gas contributes more than $26 billion to the Buckeye State economy each year, and supports nearly 188,000 well-paying jobs.
In a deregulated energy market, consumers have the choice of which company supplies their Ohio residential natural gas. In addition, they can choose the type of Ohio natural gas rates they want to pay and also shop for competitive energy prices. Previously, local natural gas utilities controlled the entire process, from delivering energy to customers to setting rates and providing customer service. Since deregulation, the landscape has changed significantly.
Ohio residents can choose to purchase their natural gas from a variety of third-party suppliers in a deregulated market. These energy providers offer competitive rates, green pricing programs, and flexible contract terms. Customers can compare a variety of Ohio natural gas suppliers by entering their ZIP code on our website. Aside from choosing a supplier, customers can also contact their local utility for assistance or questions.
columbia gas oh is one of the largest local distribution companies in the country. It serves 1.4 million natural gas customers in 61 of Ohio’s 88 counties. The company is responsible for the infrastructure, and it is important to call them if there is an emergency or any issues with your service. If you don’t select a supplier, your utility will become your default supplier.
The cheapest Ohio gas providers include Constellation Energy, Direct Energy, and Frontier Utilities. The company that offers the best Ohio gas rates will depend on where you live, your energy usage, and your preferences. It is common to see a difference in Ohio gas rates between different suppliers, so it’s important to research the options available to you.
An average residential Ohio gas bill includes a base charge from the local distribution company, plus an underlying transportation charge and an optional service charge. The base charge is based on your estimated usage during the billing month. The transportation charge is based on your delivery zone’s tariff and is set by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). The underlying transport charge is the SCO price, which is the NYMEX monthly settlement price plus a Retail Price Adjustment set by PUCO.
In addition to these charges, there are a variety of fees that appear on your bill. These fees can be a combination of capital investment and infrastructure development charges, or an adjustment to the cost of the basic service. In total, the Environmental Law & Policy Center estimates that these additional charges could increase your bill by $20 each month. The Office of Consumers’ Counsel supported the agreement, saying it would generate less than what Columbia originally wanted from a rate increase.