From COLUMBIA GAS OF OHIO
Starting this month, Columbia Gas of Ohio customers who participate in the Standard Choice Offer (SCO) program will see a bill decrease of $1 for every MCF of gas they use.
Each year, in January, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio holds an auction to decide which natural gas suppliers can provide gas to customers in Columbia’s SCO program. Last year’s January 2025 auction resulted in a higher has cost than in previous years, which contributed to higher customer bills. The increase is driven primarily by the market price of gas, which can be unpredictable. However, the January 2026 auction resulted in lower gas costs, which are paid by customers.
The cost of gas, also known as the Retail Price Adjustment, is a fixed rate for 12 months, from April to March annually, and is reflected in the “Supply” portion of a customer’s bill. Typically, the cost of gas supply makes up about half of the customer bill and is a pass-through cost, meaning Columbia Gas doesn’t profit from this portion of the bill.
Customers can see who their SCO supplier is by looking at the Standard Choice Offer section under “Detail Charges” on their bill. All SCO suppliers charge the same price for natural gas. For more information about the SCO program, visit https://www.columbiagasohio.com/bills-and-
payments/billing-programs/standard-choice-offer.
Most customers, by default, receive natural gas through the SCO, but customers also have the option to purchase natural gas from a certified supplier through the voluntary CHOICE program. Customers can find a list of CHOICE suppliers by visiting https://www.columbiagasohio.com/bills-and-payments/billing-
programs/choice.
Customers who have previously opted out of the SCO program, by selecting their own CHOICE supplier, can return to the SCO program. Customers must contact their CHOICE supplier to initiate the process.
