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WHAT
IS OHIO ELECTRIC CHOICE? Electric choice is coming to Ohio on January 1, 2001. For the first time,
most electric
customers will be able to choose |
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the company that supplies their
electricity. Just as you can shop for other products and services, soon
you can choose |
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your electric supplier. Ohio Electric Choice
is the
program that will provide information to help you make the decision
that's right for you. |
YOU
CAN CHOOSE AN ELECTRIC SUPPLIER. Your local electric utility has always
provided all parts of your electric service. This service included the
generation of the electricity, and the delivery to your home or
business. Soon you will be to
choose the company that supplies the generation of your
electricity. All electric suppliers must be certified by the Public
Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).
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DELIVERY
REMAINS 7HE SAME. If
you choose a new electric supplier, your local electric utility will still deliver the electricity to your home or business. |
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Your local
electric utility will also
continue to maintain the same poles and wires. |
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You should still
call your local electric utility, just as you always have, if your power
goes out. The PUCO will make sure you have the same safety and
reliability as before. |
WHAT IF I
DON'T CHOOSE. If you don't choose a new supplier, your local
electric utility will supply your electricity. You cannot be
switched to a new supplier without your permission. This is called
"slamming" and it is illegal.
WHAT DOES CHOICE
MEAN TO ME? The most important benefit
of electric choice is that it lets you shop around and choose the
company that supplies your electricity.
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You
can choose a supplier based on what is important to you. For example,
you may simply want the lowest price, or you may want to make a choice
based on how the electricity is produced. Competition in other
industries has often brought better service, and new products and
technologies.
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HOW
DO I SHOP? To
shop for a supplier, you need to know the price you are currently paying
for the generation part of your electricity. |
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This will be I called the price
to compare. You should use this price when you shop for electric
suppliers. |
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Your
local electric utility will provide you with your price to
compare.
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LEARN
ABOUT BUYING GROUPS. Another choice you have is to
buy electricity as part of a group. |
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A buying group
may
be able to get lower prices or other benefits. Electricity buying groups may |
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be formed by existing organizations, or
new groups may form just to buy electricity for their members
include non-profit organizations, business
associations, or cities and towns. Buying groups must also be certified
by the PUCO.
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| INFORMATION
T0 BE SHARED. |
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Your local electric
utility is required to include your name, address and usage
information on a list
of eligible customers |
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that is made
available to other
electric suppliers. Your electric utility will tell you how to stop
your information
from being shared if
you do not want to be
included on the list. |
HOW DO I LEARN
MORE? As of October 1, 2000,
call the toll-free Answer Center 1-888-OEC-1314 (1-888-632-1314) or go
to our web site at www.OhioElectricChoice.com.
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