Akron natural gas customers to get opt-out letters

[In the player above, watch previous FOX 8 News coverage on natural gas rate hikes in Akron .]

AKRON , Ohio (WJW) — A wave of letters residents can use to opt out of the city’s natural gas aggregation program are expected to hit mailboxes starting next week.

The city is switching its supplier from Constellation to IGS Energy, starting in November. Residents currently enrolled in the aggregation program with Constellation will be rolled over to the new supplier unless they choose to opt out by phone, email or U.S. mail, according to a Friday news release from Mayor Shammas Malik.

The deadline is Nov. 7.

Residents who opt out but don’t choose their own supplier before the billing period will be automatically switched to the city’s natural gas distributor, Enbridge Gas of Ohio, and randomly assigned a new supplier.

The state’s Apples to Apples online tool allows utility customers to compare rates for natural gas suppliers, as well as their potential terms.

Residents who are already enrolled can expect to get their opt-out letter after Oct. 18. Residents can also opt out of aggregation at any time without paying a fee.

To opt out by phone, call IGS Energy at 1-877-353-0162 by Nov. 7.

The city aggregation program’s fixed rate for the year, to be billed between December 2024 and November 2025, is $3.81 per thousand cubic feet, which is lower than the current rate of $4.06.

“We are pleased to secure such a competitive rate for our residents and small businesses before rates increase,” Mayor Shammas Malik is quoted in a news release. “The IGS Energy fixed rate is priced lower than the current program and will help residents manage their natural gas costs for the next year.”

Residents can enroll by calling 1-877-353-0162.

The natural gas and maintenance services (and bills) will still come from Enbridge Gas Ohio. Its Standard Choice Offer is currently $2.785 per thousand cubic feet through Nov. 7.

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