(a) After contract approval by the Columbiana City Council, the CRNGS provider will work with the city and COH to identify all eligible consumers within the city’s corporation limits.
(b) All eligible consumers will be notified of the rates, charges and other terms and conditions of participation in the aggregation program and that they will be automatically enrolled in the aggregation program unless they “opt out” or decline participation in the program. Consumers will be given a 21-day period in which to notify the city that they wish to opt out or decline participation in the aggregation program.
(c) After the initial 21-day opt-out period has elapsed, all eligible consumers who have not notified the city of their desire to opt out of the aggregation program will be enrolled by the CRNGS provider at the earliest date practicable.
(d) Consumers enrolled in the aggregation program by the CRNGS provider will receive a letter from COH notifying them of their enrollment. Consumers will have seven calendar days to notify COH of any objection to their enrollment in the aggregation program. COH will notify the CRNGS provider of consumer objections or any reason that a consumer was not enrolled in the aggregation program.
(e) Customers who meet the following criteria will become members of the aggregation program:
(1) Are not currently buying gas from another supplier;
(2) Are up to date with their bill payments;
(3) Have not opted out of the program;
(4) Currently have service with COH;
(5) Are classified as non-mercantile;
(6) Have not exercised their right of rescission: or
(7) Are not on the percentage of income payment plan (PIPP).
(f) New members may opt into the program upon contract expiration with an alternate supplier. These members will need to contact the CRNGS provider for enrollment information. The CRNGS provider has a right of refusal in accordance with criteria described in this plan.
(g) The CRNGS provider will build and maintain a database of all aggregation program participants. The database will include the name, address and COH account number and may include other pertinent information as agreed upon by the city and the CRNGS provider. Such information may include the CRNGS provider’s account number (if different from COH account number), rate code, rider code (if applicable), most recent 12 months of natural gas consumption, and meter reading cycle. The aggregation program database will be updated at least quarterly. The city will have the right to access information in the database for purposes of auditing.
(h) The CRNGS provider will report to the city the status of aggregation program enrollment on at least a monthly basis.
(i) Participants who wish to leave the aggregation program may do so:
(1) During the initial 21-day opt-out period;
(2) During the seven day rescission period;
(3) During subsequent opt-out period offered by the city at least every two years; or
(4) At any other time; however an early termination fee may be assessed.
(j) In addition to the initial 21-day opt-out period described above, each participant will be given an opportunity to opt out of the aggregation program every two years without paying an early termination fee. Consumers who choose to opt out of the aggregation program at any time other than during the initial 21-day opt-out period or during subsequent opt-out periods offered by the city may be subject to an early termination fee.
(k) Any consumer who opts out of the aggregation program will be returned to COH established tariff rates until such time as the consumer selects another approved CRNGS provider.
(Ord. 05-O-2198, passed 6-7-2005)