What is Governmental Aggregation
Under governmental aggregation, local officials are able to act on behalf of the community to negotiate a competitively priced natural gas rate from a certified natural gas supplier.
How is the county able to choose a natural gas supplier on the community's behalf? Who is eligible?
In 2014, residents of Medina County voted to give county officials the ability to negotiate a natural gas supplier contract on behalf of the community. All eligible residents or businesses will receive an opt-out notice from Volunteer Energy and meet the
following requirements:
- You must not already be enrolled with a natural gas supplier on your own.
- You must not be a PIPP (Percentage of Income Payment Program) customer.
- You must not be in arrears on your bill payment.
- Your service address must be located within the county limits.
- Your utility company must be either Columbia Gas of Ohio, or Dominion East Ohio.
- You are a current participant in the aggregation program.
- You must not be a mercantile customer using over 500 Mcf per year.
What does 'opt-out' mean?
“Opt-Out” means that you choose not to participate in the Medina County Natural Gas Governmental Aggregation Program. You can opt-out by returning the opt-out form included in your mailer, or by calling the phone number provided. If you opt-out, you will not be enrolled as a natural gas customer with Volunteer Energy and will not receive Medina County’s negotiated natural gas rate.
What happens if I do not send in the Opt-out form?
If you do not return the opt-out form or call the phone number by the designated deadline, you be will automatically included in Medina County’s Natural Gas Governmental Aggregation Program and receive the county’s negotiated rate for natural gas from Volunteer Energy.
As a program participant, you will continue to receive your billing from your local utility. Volunteer Energy will simply be listed on the bill as your natural gas supplier along with your aggregation program exclusive rate.
Are there fees to enroll or cancel?
Enrollment in the program is free for eligible participants. Once enrolled in the program, you can cancel your agreement at any time without any fee.
Can I join the program after the initial enrollment period?
Yes. The county has secured the same natural gas supply rate, terms and conditions for eligible customers who wish to join its Governmental Aggregation Program after the initial enrollment period. This includes customers who move into the county, customers who were with another supplier and wish to switch into the program, or customers who initially opted-out and want to join at a later date.
What if I'm with another supplier and want to join the aggregation program?
If you recently signed up with a natural gas supplier or if you believe you are on an older contract, carefully review the terms and conditions of that agreement before proceeding, as your ability to terminate early with that supplier may be restricted and could include cancellation fees.
What happens at the end of the term?
At the end of the term, the County will conduct a bid process to determine the supplier, term and price for the renewal period. All participants will be notified of the outcome by the county and/or the chosen supplier and will receive an opt-out notice for the new program.
