Almost a month after it received approval from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to implement a natural gas customer choice program, Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio last week launched its customer education initiative for Vectren Choice Advantage (VCA).
The Evansville, IN-based company reported that after a short preparation period, gas suppliers may begin to solicit customers Nov. 1. Under the program, residential and/or small business customers will have the option of continuing to purchase natural gas from Vectren or select a different gas supplier. Vectren received the go-ahead for the program in early September (see NGI, Sept. 9).
"This is great news for our Ohio customers," said Doug Petitt, president of Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio. "All of the interested parties have worked diligently to design a choice program that provides our customers with the ability to select a gas supplier that best meets the customers' needs. Whether a customer stays with us or selects another supplier, we remain committed to delivering safe, reliable gas to customers' homes and businesses."
Vectren said while customers will have the option to buy gas from another provider, it will continue to provide distribution, meter reading, emergency response, and pipeline maintenance services to Dayton-area customers.
Standing in support of the program, the Ohio Consumers' Counsel's Robert Tongren said it is "pleased" that Vectren utility customers soon will have an opportunity to participate in a gas choice program. "Our number one priority will be to provide residential consumers with the information they will need to compare gas supplier offers and participate in a competitive marketplace," he added.
In arriving at a structure for the VCA program, Vectren said input was provided by PUCO, OCC, AMPO Inc., Interstate Gas Supply Inc., Vectren Source, Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy, Energy Cooperative of Ohio, Volunteer Energy Services, and the Ohio Farm Bureau.
"Vectren's entry into choice follows in the successful footsteps of Ohio's other natural gas choice programs," PUCO Chairman Alan R. Schriber said. "Vectren customers can shop with confidence knowing that the PUCO certifies Ohio's natural gas suppliers and ensures that all customers receive accurate and sufficient information to make informed choices."
Vectren's energy delivery subsidiaries, Indiana Gas Co., and Southern Indiana Gas and Electric Co. (SIGECO), provide gas and/or electricity to nearly one million customers in adjoining service territories that cover nearly two-thirds of Indiana and west central Ohio.
©Copyright 2002 Intelligence Press Inc. Allrights reserved. The preceding news report may not be republishedor redistributed, in whole or in part, in any form, without priorwritten consent of Intelligence Press, Inc.
Almost a month after it received approval from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to implement a natural gas customer choice program, Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio last week launched its customer education initiative for Vectren Choice Advantage (VCA).
The Evansville, IN-based company reported that after a short preparation period, gas suppliers may begin to solicit customers Nov. 1. Under the program, residential and/or small business customers will have the option of continuing to purchase natural gas from Vectren or select a different gas supplier. Vectren received the go-ahead for the program in early September (see NGI, Sept. 9).
"This is great news for our Ohio customers," said Doug Petitt, president of Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio. "All of the interested parties have worked diligently to design a choice program that provides our customers with the ability to select a gas supplier that best meets the customers' needs. Whether a customer stays with us or selects another supplier, we remain committed to delivering safe, reliable gas to customers' homes and businesses."
Vectren said while customers will have the option to buy gas from another provider, it will continue to provide distribution, meter reading, emergency response, and pipeline maintenance services to Dayton-area customers.
Standing in support of the program, the Ohio Consumers' Counsel's Robert Tongren said it is "pleased" that Vectren utility customers soon will have an opportunity to participate in a gas choice program. "Our number one priority will be to provide residential consumers with the information they will need to compare gas supplier offers and participate in a competitive marketplace," he added.
In arriving at a structure for the VCA program, Vectren said input was provided by PUCO, OCC, AMPO Inc., Interstate Gas Supply Inc., Vectren Source, Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy, Energy Cooperative of Ohio, Volunteer Energy Services, and the Ohio Farm Bureau.
"Vectren's entry into choice follows in the successful footsteps of Ohio's other natural gas choice programs," PUCO Chairman Alan R. Schriber said. "Vectren customers can shop with confidence knowing that the PUCO certifies Ohio's natural gas suppliers and ensures that all customers receive accurate and sufficient information to make informed choices."
Vectren's energy delivery subsidiaries, Indiana Gas Co., and Southern Indiana Gas and Electric Co. (SIGECO), provide gas and/or electricity to nearly one million customers in adjoining service territories that cover nearly two-thirds of Indiana and west central Ohio.
©Copyright 2002 Intelligence Press Inc. Allrights reserved. The preceding news report may not be republishedor redistributed, in whole or in part, in any form, without priorwritten consent of Intelligence Press, Inc.
