In February 2020, The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) approved an agreement to end Dominion Energy Ohio’s Monthly Variable Rate (MVR) program.

The end of the MVR service affects all Energy Choice eligible residential and nonresidential customers. Starting in April 2020, the default rate for residential and small nonresidential customers is the SCO rate. The settlement agreement defines small nonresidential customers as those customers consuming 200 Mcf or less of gas per year. Beginning in July 2020, MRR is the default rate for medium and large nonresidential customers with annual gas usage greater than 200 Mcf. Medium nonresidential customers now can choose the SCO instead of the MRR. The settlement agreement defines medium nonresidential customers as those who consume more than 200 Mcf and no more than 500 Mcf of gas per year. Large nonresidential customers are those who consume more than 500 Mcf of gas per year.

If you don’t select an Energy Choice supplier or join a governmental aggregation program, you will automatically be moved to the Standard Choice Offer (SCO).

The SCO is an option in the Energy Choice program for residential customers and nonresidential customers who use no more than 500 Mcf of gas based on the prior calendar year. Medium nonresidential customers may elect the SCO option. Under the SCO Commodity Service, Dominion Energy Ohio assigns a supplier for you and you are billed at the SCO rate. The SCO rate is a variable rate determined monthly by the market price for gas (i.e., the NYMEX month-end settlement price) plus a retail price adjustment determined in an annual auction process.

No, you have two other options: (1) Select an Energy Choice supplier or; (2) Join a governmental aggregation buying group if one is available to you.

You have three options.

1. You can do nothing and remain on the SCO.
2. You can select a natural gas supplier through the Energy Choice program.
3. Or, you can check with your local government to see if you can join their aggregation buying group. Local governments, such as cities, counties, townships and villages may aggregate the energy used by their residents and arrange for the purchase of natural gas as “governmental aggregators.”

If you don’t select an Energy Choice Supplier or join a governmental aggregation program, you will automatically be moved to the MRR. Medium nonresidential customers may elect to be placed on the SCO rate instead of the MRR.

The MRR is the replacement for the MVR program. Customers on the MRR will be charged the lower of the monthly variable rate submitted by their assigned MRR supplier or a “median MRR price” if the participating supplier’s submitted rate is higher. The median MRR price will be determined each month based on the median of each MRR supplier’s lowest monthly variable rate offer posted on the PUCO’s Energy Choice Ohio website. All MRR suppliers must charge a variable rate at or below the median MRR determined for each month. More information regarding the MRR may be found in Dominion Energy Ohio’s tariffs.

No, as a medium or large nonresidential customer, your supply options depend on your annual gas consumption levels based on the prior calendar year as determined by Dominion Energy Ohio. In addition to the MRR, you have a few other options:

• Usage greater than 200 Mcf and less than or equal to 500 Mcf: You may elect to receive commodity service under the Standard Choice Offer (SCO), enroll with an Energy Choice supplier, or (if available) enroll in a governmental aggregation program.
• Usage greater than 500 Mcf: You may receive commodity service by enrolling with an Energy Choice supplier.

You can find more information on the certified Energy Choice natural gas suppliers at the following websites:

• Public Utilities Commission of Ohio at https: www.EnergyChoice.Ohio.gov for an Apples to Apples comparison chart of natural gas price options and contract terms;
• Ohio Consumers’ Counsel at www.pickocc.org for information on “Comparing Your Natural Gas Choices.
• Dominion Energy at www.DominionGasChoice.com for natural gas suppliers participating in the Energy Choice program.