Major Energy Explains Ohio Exit, Focused on Markets with Smart Meters

Major Energy Services said that its decision to exit the Ohio natural gas market results from a shift in business strategy to focus on markets with advanced metering technology.

Major Energy Services currently serves 70 customers at Dominion East Ohio, and has filed a notice to abandon such service (930).

Mark Berger, Director of Marketing for Major Energy, said that the company has shifted focus to expanding in markets with advanced meters, such as Pennsylvania, where Major Energy's affiliate Respond Power offers a dynamic pricing electric product (8/2).

The saturation of the Ohio gas market also played a role in the decision, Berger said.

Berger confirmed that Major Energy is not exiting any other markets aside from Ohio.

Upon PUCO approval of a notification letter, Major Energy will begin notifying customers of its intent to leave the Ohio market.

Berger said that Major plans for the letter to recommend one or more competitive suppliers to customers as alternatives that have similar values to Major Energy, and which would treat the customer fairly, so that customers could effect a switch to a new supplier and not be required to return to the LDC.

The letter, as originally reported, will also provide a link to Dominion East Ohio's choice website and supplier list.

Asked why Major did not sell the customer book, Berger said that such action would be presumptuous, and said that Major believed customers should be able to choose their next supplier, rather than being assigned to a new supplier due to Major's decision to exit the market.