Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

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General Information

Natural gas has many uses, with the most common being to heat houses and water for residential consumers. Part of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel's mission is to educate consumers about issues relating to natural gas, including gas choice and budget billing. Also in this section, consumers are able to locate information about their specific natural gas utility and other natural gas suppliers.

Many residential consumers have begun to have a choice in their natural gas supplier. Since the program started, close to 40 percent of Ohio's residential consumers have taken advantage of the opportunity to switch to receive lower rates as well as some communities working with their local governments to approve aggregation, or the group buying, of their natural gas.

The OCC educates consumers about their natural gas choices by publishing fact sheets such as Comparing Your Energy Choices and Choosing a Natural Gas Supplier. In addition, the OCC provides consumers with information on budget billing, which allows consumers to spread their cost for natural gas over a longer period of time.

If you are interested in renewable energy or alternative rate plans visit the OCC's Smart Energy section of this website.

OCC has had to cancel many of its services, including its consumer call center, due to recent budget cuts. We realize you may continue to need assistance with your utility services. OCC's website provides free access to publications and resources.

You may seek assistance with utility complaints from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio: 800-686-7826. For complaints about non-utility related services, you may call the Ohio Attorney General at 800-282-0515.