Ohio · Energy facts

Ohio Energy Facts

U.S. Energy Sales Ohio compiled this energy industry information because it’s hard to find. It covers everything from utility distribution down to supply, and it’s specialized for Ohio.

What does the PUCO do?

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) regulates Ohio’s investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities: their delivery rates, service rules and the default supply programs. It also certifies the suppliers that can sell electricity and natural gas in Ohio and runs the Energy Choice Ohio website, where its Apples to Apples charts list current offers and contract terms.

Which electric utilities in Ohio let a business choose its supplier?

Electric choice applies in Ohio’s investor-owned utility territories: Ohio Power Company (formerly AEP Ohio), Duke Energy Ohio, AES Ohio, and FirstEnergy’s Ohio utilities (Ohio Edison, Toledo Edison and The Illuminating Company). Ohio customers became eligible to choose their generation supplier beginning in 2001. City and village electric systems, including AMP member towns, are not part of electric choice.

Which Ohio natural gas utilities have choice programs?

Energy Choice Ohio lists four natural gas utilities with choice programs: Columbia, Duke Energy Ohio, Enbridge (formerly Dominion Energy Ohio) and National Fuel’s Ohio utility, which took over CenterPoint Energy Ohio on October 1, 2026. Each has its own commercial rate categories.

What is the difference between delivery and supply?

Delivery is the utility’s part: the wires or pipes, the meter, meter reading, outages and leaks. Delivery rates are set by the PUCO, and you pay them no matter who supplies you. Supply is the electricity or natural gas itself. In choice areas, supply is the part you can shop. Your bill shows both, usually in separate sections.

What is the Price to Compare?

For electricity, the Price to Compare is the per-kWh amount you would no longer pay your utility if you chose a supplier. It is the utility’s default supply price, called the standard service offer, and it is printed on your bill. Ohio utilities buy that default supply through competitive wholesale auctions, and the PUCO adds approved riders. The Price to Compare changes on a regular basis, and the commercial number depends on your rate class.

What is the default rate for natural gas?

For Columbia and Enbridge, the default is the Standard Choice Offer (SCO). It is a monthly variable rate: the NYMEX month-end settlement price plus a retail price adjustment set by an auction. For April 2026 through March 2027 that adjustment is $2.25 per Mcf at Columbia. At Enbridge it is $0.70 per Mcf, and nonresidential accounts using more than 500 Mcf a year are not eligible for the SCO.

What is capacity, and why is it on a commercial electric bill?

Ohio’s investor-owned utilities are part of PJM, the regional grid operator. PJM buys “capacity” years ahead so there is enough generation for the hottest and coldest days. The 2026/2027 auction cleared at $329.17 per MW-day and the 2027/2028 auction at $333.44 per MW-day, both at the price cap. A business’s share of that cost follows its peak load contribution: how much power the account used during the grid’s highest-demand hours. Two businesses with the same monthly usage can pay very different capacity costs.

What is government aggregation?

Ohio cities, villages and townships can buy electricity or natural gas in bulk for residents and small businesses in their community. Eligible accounts are enrolled automatically unless they opt out, and they get a notice with an opt-out period first. If you get an aggregation or opt-out letter, read the dates and terms before the deadline.

Where do I find my contract end date?

Start with your supplier’s contract or confirmation letter. Many bills also show the supplier name in the supply section. Renewal notices usually arrive a month or two before the end date. If you can’t find it, send us the bill and we’ll help you track it down.

What units show up on an Ohio natural gas bill?

Natural gas is billed in Ccf (100 cubic feet), Mcf (1,000 cubic feet) or Dth (dekatherms, a heat-content unit). One Mcf is 10 Ccf, and one Mcf is roughly one Dth, depending on the heat content of the natural gas. When you compare offers, make sure they use the same unit.

Want to know how this applies to your own account? Every business is different.

Utility names are used just to identify service territories. U.S. Energy Sales Ohio is not affiliated with or endorsed by any utility named on this site.