New residents to the community will not be automatically enrolled in the aggregation program. New residents will receive standard Duke/PUCO rates for gas and electric, or they can phone the numbers provided to be enrolled in the Township aggregation programs. During contract renewal periods, all eligible customers including new residents will receive information regarding the new program rates and the opportunity to "opt out." If residents do not "opt out" at that time, they will be enrolled in the aggregation program.

West Chester Township receives no financial benefit by offering the aggregation program or by reaching enrollment goals. All savings are passed along to the customers of the aggregation program.

To be excluded from receiving future opt-out notices for electric aggregation, customers may register with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to be placed on the "do not aggregate" list. There is no similar list for natural gas aggregation.

If the customer's Duke Energy account number changes, the customer must update their request with PUCO. If a customer has multiple accounts, each account must be registered separately with PUCO. If a customer moves, even within the same utility service territory, the customer must re-register to remain on the "do not aggregate" list.

Three options are available to register with the PUCO on the "do not aggregate" list for electric aggregation.

• Complete and submit the online electronic form.
• Download and complete the printable PDF form and mail or fax it to:
  The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
  Attn: TeleText Services Division
  180 East Broad Street
  Columbus, OH 43215
  Fax: (614) 466-0313 
• Call the PUCO toll-free at (800) 686-PUCO (7826). Provide your name, service address and the customer account or identification number located on the utility bill.

Duke Energy Ohio owns and maintains the systems that deliver natural gas and electricity to West Chester residents. Residents who participate in the aggregation program will still receive a single bill - from Duke Energy Ohio and can still participate in electronic bill pay and budget billing. Power outages, etc. should still be reported to Duke Energy Ohio, (800) 634-4300).

Duke Energy Ohio will acknowledge aggregation enrollment and send a confirmation letter reminding the customer of the pending switch. That letter will indicate the customer can change their decision to participate in the aggregation by contacting Duke within seven days. Again, aggregation customers can opt out of the program at ANY time without penalty by calling the respective suppliers for electric and natural gas. Ohio law requires that aggregation suppliers refresh opt-out notices every 2 or 3 years depending on the service.

If your utility company is Duke Energy:

• You must be a resident or qualifying business located within West Chester Township limits;
• You must NOT have already chosen a natural gas supplier on your own;
• You must NOT be a Percentage of Income Payment Program (PIPP) customer;
• You must NOT be in arrears on your bill payment; and
• You must NOT be a mercantile customer using over 5,000 CCF/year.

Neither West Chester Township nor its broker can stop natural gas or electric suppliers from soliciting independently for your business by mail or telephone.