Columbia Gas - Customers to Pay Less This Winter

Fri, 12/30/2011 - 9:56am | Staff Report
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Columbia Gas of Ohio customers who purchase natural gas through the company’s Standard Service Offer will pay 19% less for gas this January compared to last January, the company announced this week.

“Lower gas bills are great news for the many Ohio families who are struggling because of the economy,” said Jack Partridge, president of Columbia Gas of Ohio.  “Our price for natural gas today is nearly as low as it was ten years ago – how many other companies can say that about their product?”

Customers can purchase gas through the Standard Service Offer (SSO), or from a marketer under Columbia's Customer CHOICE program.  The SSO price for the January 2012 billing cycle will be about 50 cents per Ccf (100 cubic feet), compared to about 61 cents for January 2011 (the actual difference is slightly greater due to rounding). The SSO price is revised each month based on the market price of natural gas.

Record levels of natural gas production in the US are an important factor in the continuing downward trend in market prices. Production in 2011 is on track to eclipse the previous record set in 1973. A very mild start to the 2011-12 winter season and record levels of gas in storage have also contributed to declining prices.

A comparison with past rates shows what a bargain natural gas is today. Customers purchasing gas from Columbia in January 2006, in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, paid about $1.36/Ccf. Prices today are nearly as low as those paid by customers in January 2002, about 48 cents/Ccf.

Columbia Gas says customers wishing to save even more can take advantage of the company’s energy efficiency programs. Rebates are available on setback thermostats and efficient showerheads; customers can order on the web, over the phone or mail in a rebate form.  The company also offers comprehensive home energy audits and rebates on recommended improvements such as insulation and air sealing.

For more information on available programs, visit www.columbiagasohio.com.

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