With the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio’s innovative tool you can easily compare prices, contract terms and other plan differences.
For nearly 100 years in Ohio, your energy — electric and natural gas — services and rates have been regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). Under this regulation, a single company served you. Since choosing a supplier to provide your energy services was not an option, the rates a company charged were set by the PUCO. The resulting rates allowed the utility to recover its expenses, plus an agreed upon margin of profit for their investment. The PUCO’s job remains to balance the interests of the utility with the interests of its customers.
The power for Ohioans to choose their energy supplier has been around for more than a decade. Ohio initiated these reforms to remain competitive in business and industry and in order to bring jobs and economic developments to Ohio. Now, residential consumers are able to take advantage of the same competitive markets manufacturers and industrial consumers have engaged in for years. In fact, we are already seeing the benefits of choice in Ohio as nearly 2.4 million electric customers and 1.7 million natural gas customers are already participating either individually or with aggregation groups.
The PUCO's role is to make the emerging competitive environment as even as possible for all players. To accomplish this goal, the PUCO works to provide consumers with the valuable information, tools and resources they need to make educated choices.
Just as you shop for other products and services, you may also be able to shop for an energy supplier. With choice, energy customers from large manufacturers to residential homeowners are able to shop for energy options from a diverse group of competitive suppliers certified by the PUCO. As more suppliers are offering their services in your area, you have the opportunity to choose the company that supplies the generation of your electricity and production of natural gas. Your local utility will still guarantee the same reliable infrastructure.
If you choose a new energy supplier, your local utility will continue to deliver the electricity and natural gas to your home or business. Your local utility will also continue to maintain and repair the respective poles, wires and pipes. You should continue to call your local utility if your power or gas goes out. The PUCO will still oversee the safety and reliability of your services.
The ability to choose an electric or natural gas supplier gives consumers a greater variety of pricing plans and allows the consumer more freedom to determine what is the best option for their household or business. Energy choice is the best of both worlds. Participation not only gives you the freedom to work with a supplier and take advantage of unique product offerings, but also the peace of mind that you will still receive the same high level of service from your local utility.
A choice that affects a financial commitment like your electric and gas bill shouldn’t be left up to chance. Just like you would shop around to get the best deal on your car insurance, you should also find out all of the different products available from electric or natural gas suppliers. The PUCO’s Apples to Apples chart makes it quick and easy to compare a variety of suppliers based on what is important to you.