The Sandusky City Commission approved a new agreement March 24 with Archer Energy to serve as the supplier for the city’s natural gas aggregation program.
This follows the withdrawal of Eastern Power & Gas, which previously notified the city that it would no longer be doing business in Ohio, according to a news release.
Sandusky’s new agreement with Archer Energy provides residents and small businesses with a variable rate based on the NYMEX monthly settlement price plus $0.3145 per hundred cubic feet, the release said.
This program will begin with the August billing cycle and run through May 2027, according to the release.
Currently, the rate is lower than Columbia Gas of Ohio’s Standard Choice Offer, which means eligible customers may begin saving on their natural gas bills as soon as the program takes effect, the release said.
Also, the city is working closely with its energy broker, Buckeye Energy Brokers, to monitor pricing trends with the goal of locking in a fixed rate if market conditions allow, according to the release.
Columbia Gas will continue to deliver gas, service infrastructure and provide billing, the release said.
Residents can expect
• Automatic enrollment — Eligible residents and small businesses not already under contract with another supplier, or in a percentage of income payment plan, will be automatically enrolled unless they choose to opt out.
• Opt-out letters — Notices will be mailed in early July and residents who do not wish to participate will be given three weeks to opt out.
• No fees — There are no enrollment or cancellation fees. Participants can leave the program at any time.
• Billing — Residents will continue to receive a single bill from Columbia Gas. Archer Energy’s charges will appear in the supply section of the bill.
This program was made possible by the passage of Issue 2 in November 2024, which authorized the city to establish an opt-out natural gas aggregation program.
Public input meetings took place in December 2024, and the city initially selected Eastern Power & Gas through a competitive bidding process.
When that supplier exited the Ohio market, the city worked quickly with its aggregation consultant to secure a new agreement with Archer Energy.
More information can be found at cityofsandusky.com/gas.
