Three New Suppliers Serving Small Volume Customers at Vectren Ohio

Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio announced today the recent entry of additional competitive natural gas suppliers into the natural gas choice market.

The three newest suppliers -- Direct Energy Services [which had also been in the Vectren Delivery mass market after acquiring Vectren Source], Palmco Energy and Xoom Energy -- join IGS Energy, Constellation Energy Gas Choice (formerly MX Energy), Ohio Natural Gas, Vectren Source, and Volunteer Energy Services as suppliers competing for Vectren's residential and small business customers, Vectren Energy Delivery said.

Additional gas suppliers are expected to enter the Choice market this fall, Vectren said.

As listed on PUCO Apples to Apples, the suppliers recently entering the market are offering residential fixed plans as follows:

• Direct Energy Services: 12 Months Fixed @ $0.49900/ccf (total rate $0.53860/ccf); no early termination fee

• Xoom Energy Ohio: 12 Months Fixed @ $0.52500/ccf (total rate $0.56460/ccf); early termination fee of $100

Xoom Energy Ohio also offers a monthly variable rate.

Palmco Energy does not yet list a residential rate on Apples to Apples.

"We now have eight Choice suppliers active in the greater Dayton area, which is fostering a more open, competitive retail market," said Colleen Ryan, president of Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio. "Customers can either remain with Vectren's Standard Choice Offer (SCO) service or choose an alternate gas supplier through the natural gas Choice program. Regardless, Vectren will continue to deliver natural gas to customers' homes or businesses, handle all customer billing and respond to emergency situations."

As recently reported by Matters, about 50 percent of Vectren's 285,000 Choice-eligible customers have selected a natural gas supplier other than the SCO.

"Now is the time to do some comparison shopping with these suppliers as we approach the heating season," added Ryan. "Choice suppliers can offer pricing options that may be appealing to customers -- including the ability to lock in a price for the upcoming winter."