Village of Ashville, Ohio

Article Index

Flame aggregation

Updated December 13, 2022

Ohio Public Utilities Commission Renewal Certification Application 3.13.2021 - 3.13.2023

Updated July 26, 2022

Authorization Legislation Resolution 10-2022 A repeal and replacment resolution for 09-2022 authorizing the Village Administrator and Fiscal Officer to execute a gas aggregation replacment agreement and declaring an emergency(agreement included).

August 2022 Letter from Constellation to Residents

Natural Gas Aggregation Agreement 2022

New Gas Aggregation Legislation with draft agreement Exhibit and Resolution 09-2022

Increase anounced by Columbia Gas Transmission (TCO) Letter from Volunteer Energy

Volunteer Energy Letter from April 7, 2021 Rate & Opt-out Process

Resolution 05-2020 Gas Aggregation Replacement Agreement

Volunteer Energy Customer Informaiton Agreement

What is Gas Aggregation?

An aggregator is a person or organization that brings a group of customers together.

Objective better pricing for the group members, “buying power”.
Ohio’s law allows for local government aggregation by cities, villages, townships or counties.
Aggregators are certified by the PUCO to ensure they are qualified.

Government aggregation

Opt-out aggregation is a program that automatically enrolls, unless they opt-out of the program and choose not to be included.

Opt-out aggregation has requirements, including the following:

A majority of voters must authorize opt-out aggregation in an election.
If authorized by a majority of the vote, form a plan of operation and management.
Hold at least two public hearings to allow consumers to voice any concerns over the proposed plan.
Once the plan has been adopted, each consumer that is to be aggregated must be notified that they will be automatically enrolled in the program unless they specifically elect not to participate. This notification must also state the rates, charges, and other terms and conditions of enrollment in the program.
The local government must allow anyone enrolled in the program an opportunity to opt-out.

Some things to consider about government aggregation:

You will not need to sign a contract; you are automatically enrolled unless they opt-out.
Those who do not opt-out are in a government aggregation area and are automatically included in the municipality’s aggregation. If you do not opt-out and choose a new supplier, you will be a customer of the government aggregation program.
To remain with your local utility you will need to opt-out of program and switch to your local utility.

Choosing a buying group

Things to consider when choosing a buying group, here are some things to think about:

The goal of the buying group—will the aggregator be looking for the lowest price, sources used to generate the energy or additional services when finding a supplier?
Number of group members—larger groups will usually have better “buying power.”
Length of the contract—how long is the contract, and how will it be renewed?
Terms and conditions—be sure you read and understand them, including membership requirements, how you will be billed, and any fees.

Eligibility

For natural gas aggregation, customers who are already enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP Plus) are not eligible. PIPP Plus is an extended payment arrangement based on a percentage of the household income for those customers who are at or below 150% of the federal poverty income guidelines.

For natural gas aggregations, the only other customers who are not eligible to participate are those that are already under individual contracts with suppliers as part of a customer choice program. These customers will not appear on eligible customer lists provided to the governmental aggregator or the governmental aggregator's chosen supplier, and they should not receive the “Opt-Out” notice.

It’s important to note that if you recently switched to a new supplier, there is a possibility that your name was not removed from the eligibility list. You should return the opt-out notice if you do not wish to be switched to the aggregation’s supplier. That is a decision for you to make. You will want to talk to your chosen supplier if you are considering switching to the aggregation's supplier to find out if there are penalties for early cancellation of the contract.

2019

Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. As the Village ofAshville’s selected supplier, Volunteer Energy is pleased to offer natural gas for your home or business at a rate of $0.423 perCcf. This rate will be effective May 2019 (June billing) through April 2021 (May billing). Before the end of your May 2021 billcycle, your community will determine your rate for the next period of the program. Columbia Gas is still your utility and willcontinue to provide monthly billing and service.

Click on the title to open pdf of each topic.

Consumer Letter from Volunteer Energy Dated April 4^th

Consumer Letter from Volunteer Energy and the Village of Ashville

Volunteer Energy Services, Inc. Terms and Conditions

Gas Aggregation Program Agreement

Customer Information Agreement

Time Stamped Renewal Package

Solicitor Letter

Ohio Public Utilities Commission Renewal Certification Application Ohio Natural Gas Governmental Aggregator

Monday, January 9th, noon and 6:00 pm Public Meeting Documentation on

Natural Gas Governmental Aggregation 2016/17

Circleville Herald Notice

Authorization Ordinance

PUCO Certification Application

PUCO Certification Notice

Plan of Operation & Governance

Natural Gas Governmental Aggregation

Introduction. On November 8, 2016, a majority of the voters in the Village of Ashville, OH approved a referendum that authorized the Village of Ashville (“the Village”) to pursue Automatic Governmental Aggregation. After the Village held two public hearings on the matter, as prescribed by Section 4929.26 of the Ohio Revised Code, the Village approved this Plan of Operation and Governance, prepared in accordance with Section 4901:1-28-03 of the Ohio Administrative Code. Once certified as a Governmental Aggregator, the Village will be authorized to combine multiple retail natural gas customer loads within its geographic boundaries (the “Aggregation”) for the purpose of arranging for the purchase of natural gas supply in Ohio’s competitive retail natural gas market.

Governmental Aggregation Services. The Village, as a Governmental Aggregator, will serve as purchasing agent for the Aggregation. As purchasing agent, the Governmental Aggregator shall (i) select a Competitive Retail Natural Gas Supplier (“Supplier”) to supply the Aggregation, (ii) negotiate the terms of supply between the Supplier and each Aggregation participant, and (iii) oversee the enrollment procedures administered by the Supplier.

The Contract. The supply contract negotiated by the Governmental Aggregator for the Aggregation (the “Contract”) shall be for firm, all-requirements supply. Each Aggregation participant will be individually bound to the Supplier by the Contract, and will be solely responsible for payment and performance. The natural gas supply charges for the Aggregation are included in the Contract that will be negotiated by the Governmental Aggregator. The natural gas supply charges will take the form of either a fixed price or a variable price. All natural gas supply charges will be fully and prominently disclosed in consumer enrollment materials (such as the Opt-out Notice), available on the Supplier’s website, and available by calling the Supplier’s toll free customer service telephone number.

Eligibility, Opt-out Disclosures, and Pooling Accounts. Section 4901:1-28-05 and 4901:1-28-03 (B)(7) of the Ohio Administrative Code requires Columbia Gas (the “Utility”) to use its best efforts to provide the Governmental Aggregator with an account list of eligible customers, including the names, account numbers, and service and mailing addresses for all eligible customers residing within the Governmental Aggregator’s boundaries. The following customers are not eligible: customers on the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP), customers that have past due amounts owing to the Utility, customers that are already under contract with a competitive retail natural gas supplier, and mercantile customers. Using this list of eligible accounts the Supplier, with the assistance of the Governmental Aggregator, will review the list to verify that the eligible accounts are located within the geographic limits of the Village and that an area within the Village limits has not been inadvertently filtered from the list.

The Supplier, with assistance from the Governmental Aggregator, will prepare and mail an “Opt-out Notice” to each account identified as (i) eligible by the Utility and (ii) within the geographic limits of the Village by the Governmental Aggregator and the Supplier, within thirty (30) days of receipt of the list from the Utility. The Opt-out Notice will inform the eligible account holder that the Governmental Aggregator is forming an automatic (or “Opt-out”) aggregation, provide the price for natural gas supply to the Aggregation and other terms and conditions of service, and explain how the account holder can decline participation in the Aggregation. As required by 4901:1-28- 04 of the Ohio Administrative Code, the Opt-out Notice will indicate that the account holder has 21 days to affirmatively respond by telephoning a toll-free number, using a website or returning a postcard to the Supplier that is included in the Opt-out Notice.

The Supplier will receive all Opt-out requests and adjust the eligible account list accordingly. In addition, if any Opt-out Notices are returned by mail to Supplier marked as undeliverable, those accounts are removed from the eligible account list as well. Upon completion of the 21 day Opt-out period, the Supplier will notify the Utility of the remaining accounts that will form the Aggregation, and through an electronic data interchange transaction, enroll the Aggregation. Upon enrollment, each participant will receive an enrollment notice from the Utility that will indicate that the enrollee may rescind its participation in the Aggregation by contacting the Utility within seven business days.

In addition to the initial 21-day Opt-out period, each participant will be provided an opportunity to opt-out every tow years without paying an early termination fee. The Village of Ashville has no termination fee in the agreement.

Billing. Aggregation participants will receive a single, monthly bill from the Utility, which will include charges from the Supplier for its natural gas supply, as well as the Utility distribution charges. Aggregation participants will be billed according to their Utility billing cycle.

Credit, Collections and Deposits. The Utility’s credit and collection policy and policies regarding deposits will apply to the Aggregation participants and shall be administered by the Utility. Neither the Governmental Aggregator, nor the Supplier will implement additional policies with respect to credit, deposits and collections.

Concerns and Complaints. Aggregation participants will have multiple means of expressing concerns and reporting complaints. As a general rule, concerns regarding service reliability and billing should be directed to the Utility. The Utility will continue to read meters, handle billing, and generally have the most information about the physical service to a location or account. Questions regarding the administration of the Aggregation should be directed to the Supplier. The Supplier’s customer service center is available by telephone 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Any unresolved disputes should be directed to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and/or the Ohio Consumers Council. As a convenience, below are a list of helpful toll free telephone numbers.

Nature of Complaint	Contact	Phone Number
Gas Odor/Leaks-Fire-Explosions	Columbia Gas	1-800-344-4077
Service turn on/off	Columbia Gas	1-800-344-4077
Billing Disputes	Columbia Gas	1-800-344-4077
Price/Joining/Leaving Program	Supplier Customer Service	1-740-983-6367
Program Regulatory Questions	Supplier Customer Service	1-740-983-6367
Unresolved Disputes	Public Utilities Commission	1-800-686-7826
Unresolved Disputes	Ohio Consumers Council	1-877-742-5622

The Supplier will attempt to resolve all customer complaints in a timely and good faith manner. The Supplier shall investigate and provide a status report to the customer when the complaint is made directly to them and/or the Village within three (3) business days following receipt of the complaint. Or in the case of a Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (“PUCO”) complaint the Supplier will investigate and provide a status report to the customer and PUCO staff within three (3) business days following receipt of the complaint. If an investigation into a complaint received from the customer or a complaint referred by the PUCO is not completed within ten (10) business days, then a status report will be given to the customer, and, if applicable, the PUCO. These status reports will be given every three (3) business days until the investigation is complete, unless the action that must be taken takes longer than three (3) business days and the customer has been notified. Final results of a Commission-referred complaint will be provided to the PUCO either orally (phone) or in writing (e-mail, written correspondence), no later than three (3) business days after the investigation is completed. The final results will be provided in writing to the customer no later than three (3) business days after the investigation is completed. Customers retain the right to contact the PUCO regarding complaints and disputes. All customers have the right to contact the PUCO by writing to Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, ATTN: IAD, 180 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215-3793; by fax to (614) 752-8351; through their website at www.puc.state.oh.us or by calling toll free (800) 686-7826 (VOICE) or (800) 686-1570 (TTY-TDD). Records of customer complaints will be retained for two (2) years after the occurrence of the complaint. A copy of the complaint record will be provided to the PUCO within three (3) business days, if requested.

Moving within the Village. Aggregation participants who move from one location to another within the corporate limits of the Village and retain the same account number, will remain an Aggregation participant and will receive the same price they would have received if their location had not moved. Aggregation participants who move from one location to another within the corporate limits of the Village and are assigned a new account number may enroll their new account in the Aggregation and receive the same price as they would have received if their location had not moved, provided the new account is eligible for Aggregation. Participants who move and receive a new account number may be dropped from the Aggregation by the Utility, but they will not be charged an early termination fee from the Supplier. If a participant is dropped from the Aggregation due to a move within the Village, the participant should contact the Supplier to be reenrolled.

Moving outside of the Village. Aggregation participants who move out of the Village limits will no longer be eligible to participate in the Aggregation, but they will not be charged an early termination fee from the Supplier.

Enrolling after the Opt-out Period. Residential and small business accounts located within the Village’s corporate limits that are eligible to join the Aggregation but initially chose to opt-out of the Aggregation, or otherwise weren’t included in the Aggregation, may join the Aggregation after the expiration of the applicable Opt-Out Period by contacting the Supplier. The rate for those joining the Aggregation after the expiration of the Opt-out Period may be different from the rate negotiated for the Aggregation by the Government Aggregator. In the event that the Supplier is able to offer to newly eligible customers the same price that is provided to the current Aggregation participants, the Supplier may refresh the Aggregation by providing those who move in to the Village the opportunity to be included automatically, rather than waiting until the next pricing term of the Contract. The process for refreshing the Aggregation with new enrollments would follow the process noted above for determining eligibility, providing Opt-out Notices, and pooling the accounts. (Current Aggregation participants and those who previously declined participation would not receive the Opt-out Notice intended only for newly eligible customers.)

What should I do? The Consumer

Determine if you would like to stay with the supplier you have chosen or would like to join the governmental aggregation.
If you stay with the supplier you have chosen, you must opt-out of the governmental aggregation.
Watch your mail for your opt-out notice. All customers within a governmental aggregation will receive this notice with directions on how to opt-out. Do not discard the notice.
If you miss the opt-out deadline. Once the switch is scheduled to take place, customers will receive a notice from the natural gas utility stating that they are scheduled to be switched over, as well as the name of the supplier to which they will be switched. This notification will give the customer seven days from the postmark on that notice to contact the local utility if the information is not correct, or they wish to opt-out of the aggregation.
If you wish to join the governmental aggregation, talk to your supplier. You will want to find out what the penalties will be for leaving that contract and determine if these are penalties you are willing to accept.
Customers who are not interested in aggregating with their local municipality can sign-up with the PUCO's Do Not Aggregate list. Find out more at 800-686-PUCO.

For questions regarding the governmental aggregation or the procedures for opting-out of the aggregation pool, customers should contact their local government or the supplier that has been chosen to represent the community.

How to Opt-out Terms and Conditions?

These ENERGY SUPPLY TERMS AND CONDITIONS have important information you need to know before you commit to natural gas service from Volunteer Energy Services, Inc. (“VESI”). VESI is an Ohio corporation whose customers include a variety of Ohio natural gas end users. As a supply customer of VESI, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of VESI’s natural gas supply contract.

Service Arrangement; VESI’s energy supply will be delivered to your residence or facility via the utilities pipeline on a month to month basis. Upon acceptance by the utility company the cost will be at a rate of NYMEX plus $0.129 per Ccf end of month close.

Term: The term of this Agreement shall commence when accepted by VESI and shall continue through May, 2019 unless otherwise cancelled by either party. Natural gas service will begin within 60 days of acceptance by Columbia Gas. You may terminate this Agreement with VESI by providing a 30-day notice in writing to VESI or by telephone. Columbia Gas will continue to deliver VESI-supplied natural gas to your home at the agreed upon rate

Office Locations and Hours: VESI’s offices are located at 790 Windmiller Drive, Pickerington, Ohio 43147 and are open from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. E.S.T., Monday through Thursday. VESI can be reached by telephone at (614) 856-3128 or toll free at 800-977-8374. Telephone service hours are from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. E.S.T., Monday through Friday. E-mail address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Bill Payment Process: Columbia Gas of Ohio will continue to bill you monthly for their delivery services and also for VESI’s natural gas supplies. Should you fail to pay the bill or fail to meet any agreed upon payment arrangement, Columbia Gas may terminate your service in accordance with its company tariffs, and this agreement with VESI may be automatically terminated. If VESI is providing billing services, VESI may terminate this agreement with fourteen (14) days’ notice for failure to pay the bill or failure to meet any agreed upon payment arrangements.

Complaint Dispute Resolution:

If you have any complaints regarding your natural gas service or your monthly bill, please contact us at 1-800-977-8374. Upon request, VE will provide to you up to twenty-four months of your payment history without charge. If your complaint is not resolved after you have called VE, or for general utility information, residential and business customers may contact the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) for assistance at 1-800-686-7826 (toll free) from eight a.m. to five p.m. weekdays, or at http://www.puco.ohio.gov. Hearing or speech impaired customers may contact the PUCO via 7-1-1 (Ohio relay service). Additionally, the Ohio consumers’ council (OCC) represents residential utility customers in matters before the PUCO. The OCC can be contacted at 1-877-742-5622 (toll free) from eight a.m. to five p.m. weekdays, or at http://www.pickocc.org.

Amendment to Agreement: VESI may amend VESI’s Supply Agreement from time to time upon approval from the Village of Ashville. Any amendments made would not take effect for a minimum of thirty (30) days and you will receive thirty (30) days written notice at members - service address. Notice of any such change is public information and may be announced by any one of or variation of the following methods: local newspaper press release, local radio station announcement, written communications to participants or update on Village’s website.

Emergency Service Problems: If you become aware of a gas emergency condition, or experience an unanticipated loss of gas service, you should contact the utility at the number listed on your gas bill.

Credit: If VESI is performing billing services, other than for operation, maintenance, assignment and transfer of your account or, for commercial collection, VESI will not disclose your account number without your affirmative written or electronic authorization or pursuant to a court or commission order. Additionally, if billing, other than for the purposes of credit checking and credit reporting, VESI will not disclose your social security number without your affirmative written consent or pursuant to a court order.

Termination/Rescission of Agreement: You may rescind your natural gas supply enrollment with Columbia Gas of Ohio within seven (7) days of the post mark date of the confirmation notice from Columbia Gas. After the initial seven (7) day period, either you or VESI may terminate the contract at any time by providing the non-terminating party thirty (30) days written notice of such termination, without penalty. You will remain responsible for all natural gas consumed by you prior to the actual cessation of services. If your supply contract with VESI is terminated, your natural gas supply will automatically be provided by the utility under its standard tariff unless or until you choose another supplier. If you voluntarily terminate participation in the Village’s natural gas governmental aggregation program, you may be charged a price other than the Columbia Gas regulated sales service rate. There will be no early termination fees associated with the Village’s program. This agreement will automatically terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following: (1) the requested service location is not served by Columbia Gas; (2) you move outside the Columbia Gas service area or to an area not served by VESI; or (3) VESI terminates your supply agreement and returns you to the incumbent natural gas company. You have the right to terminate this agreement, without penalty, for any reason at any time.

Program Compliance: The utility’s deregulation program is subject to the ongoing jurisdiction of the PUCO. If the PUCO cancels the program, this contract is rendered void with no penalty to either party. The laws of the State of Ohio will govern this agreement.

VESI’s fixed rate excludes utility charges and taxes. Service is subject to enrollment processing timelines as determined by your local utility and VESI’s aforementioned Terms and Conditions of Service. To be eligible to participate in the aggregation, you must: (1) have a residence or business located in the Village of Ashville; (2) be eligible to receive natural gas from Columbia Gas of Ohio; (3) meet Ohio non-mercantile requirements; (4) be current with your natural gas payments or payment arrangements; (5) not be enrolled in the PIPP program; and (6) currently not taking supply service from another natural gas marketer. If you believe you received this letter in error as you are not located in the Village of Ashville, please contact VESI to remove your account from our aggregation list.

P.S. Remember to return the opt-out form only if you do not want to participate in the Village’s Governmental Aggregation program.

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OPT-OUT FORM FOR THE VILLAGE OF ASHVILLE GOVERNMENTAL AGGREGATION PROGRAM

I wish to opt out of the Village of Ashville Governmental Aggregation Program

Service Address: __________________________________________________________________________

Phone Number: ___________________________Account Number: __________________________________

Printed Name: __________________________________________Date: ______________________________

Account holder’s signature: __________________________________________________________________

Mail by April 28, 2017 to: Village of Ashville Governmental Aggregation Program, 790 Windmiller Drive, Pickerington, Ohio 43147

Click on the following image for a pdf of the Opt-out Letter and Form

Why should I switch?

For more than a decade now, millions of Ohioans have taken advantage of natural gas choice. Energy choice allows consumers to shop for alternative rates on their natural gas supply.
Energy choice allows consumers to choose from a variety of offers and determine the plan that is right for them.
Energy choice allows consumers to see savings off of their monthly energy bills, others value the certainty that comes from a fixed rate plan, and some switch to suppliers that will make a greater investment in renewable products.
Although you have the option to choose an alternative natural gas supplier, you are under no pressure or obligation to switch providers at this time.
Even if you are currently happy with your rates, why not take a moment to see the current rates being offered at the PUCO’s Apples to Apples comparison charts? Even if you don’t make a choice now, our charts allow you to see multiple offers in your area, so you can compare what you are currently paying with the other offers available. You have nothing to lose, and you can use this opportunity to educate yourself on the many different offers marketers are providing.
It is important to remember that your natural gas service will not change. You will still receive the same reliable energy and billing services that you have come to expect from your local utility. The only thing that will change is your natural gas supplier.
For more common questions about switching, please see the FAQ page http://www. energychoice.ohio.gov/Pages/FAQs.aspxor call our Call Center at 1-800-686-PUCO (7826).

Legislative Authority for Gas Aggregation

By clicking on the image to open a pdf othe indiated document

Good Sources of information

http://energychoice.ohio.gov/ApplesToApplesCategory.aspx?Category=NaturalGas

By clicking on the image you will be linked to the indicated webpage:

The State of Ohio Website

The Ohio Public Utlities Commission (PUCO) Website

The location of information concerning energy in Ohio

The Energy Choice Ohio comparrison page

The Energy Choice Ohio natural gas comparrision page

ohio.gov contains a great deal of useful information about Ohio

business days, if requested.

P.O. Box 195 200 East Station Street Ashville, OH 43103 (North of the Ashville Park) Office: 740-983-6367 • Fax: 740-983-4703	Administrative Office Hours Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm