Natural Gas Rates
We continually evaluate the cost to serve our members, considering the total revenues needed for the cost of generation, transmission and energy delivery. We estimate the amount of energy our members to determine what rates should be. Our rates are reviewed annually. By monitoring our controllable expenses, we are able to provide affordable and reliable energy with cost-based rates.
Gas Installation Procedures
Only a Department of Transportation Operator Qualified Plumber can install, replace, or repair a member owned service line. Before you hire a plumber or contractor, make sure they are DOT Operator Qualified to install service lines. If you need assistance in finding a qualified plumber or contractor, the Utility Technologies International Corporation website can help you find a qualified installer in your area
Safety
We have delivered safe, reliable and affordable energy to our members since 1936. Our first priority is safety for our employees, members and the general public. We believe that if we take the lead in safety, others follow.
Smell rotten eggs? It could be a natural gas leak. Leave the area. Call 911. Then call us at 740-344-2102.
Natural gas and propane are odorless in their original state; so, we add an organic compound called Mercaptan before the gas is delivered into the community. Mercaptan smells like rotten eggs. This distinctive smell helps warn you in case natural gas or propane were to escape in or around your home. The source of a gas odor could be inside your home from a leak in your house line or appliance connection. It could also be outside from leaks in a service or main line that could come into your home through foundation walls or drain lines.
Natural gas pipelines have a proven record of safety. Sometimes, however, pipeline failure can occur. Hazards associated with a pipeline failure and gas release may include blowing gas, line rupture, fire, explosion or, if gas is present in a confined area, possible asphyxiation. Damage by outside force, often by someone digging into a pipeline, is the largest single cause of pipeline failures. Incidents may occur due to corrosion, material failure, equipment failure or other causes.
Learn more about natural gas leaks & how to detect them, and read our safety tips now!
Do Not Rely on Your Sense of Smell Alone to Detect Natural Gas!
This notice is to provide members and contractors who work on natural gas piping, equipment, and appliances with additional safety information on natural gas and the potential for odor fade.
We odorize the natural gas that is delivered to you. Even though a distinctive odor (smells like rotten eggs) is added to natural gas to assist in the detection of leaks, you should not rely solely on your sense of smell to determine if a gas leak exists or if natural gas is present. You may not be able to detect the odorant because of a weakened sense of smell or because the odorant is masked by other odors. Rare conditions, such as odor fade (loss of odorant), could occur, which may cause the odor to diminish so that it is not detectable.
Whether you are installing a mailbox, planting a tree, building a deck, or planning a project around your home, call the Ohio Utility Protection Service (OUPS) before you start to dig at 811 or (800) 362-2764.
You can’t know if underground lines are below. Often, people do not call first because of unwanted delays or costs, and they assume their digging won't affect anything. This assumption is life-threatening and, if you hit an underground utility, you may have to pay for damages and repairs that may cost thousands of dollars.
By law, everyone MUST contact the Ohio Utilities Protection Service, at least 48 hours, but no more than 10 working days (excluding weekends and legal holidays), before beginning ANY digging project.
Your call alerts utilities of your plans to dig and lets us notify you or mark approximate locations of underground utility lines. This free service can protect you from injury or property damage and prevents interruption of your and other utility services.
An Excess Flow Valve (EFV) is a safety device that can be installed on your natural gas service line (the underground line that runs from the main line to the meter). Excess flow valves are designed to shut off or significantly reduce the flow of natural gas if a service line becomes damaged, and that damage causes a sudden and significant leak or pressure drop. When activated, the excess flow valve may prevent the buildup of natural gas and may lessen the possibility of a natural gas fire, explosion, personal injury, and/or property damage. However, they do not protect against leaks beyond the meter assembly (house piping). A service line may be damaged by natural forces (such as seismic activity), excavation damage, or a vehicle hitting and severing a gas meter.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas produced when vehicles, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges, portable generators or furnaces burn fuel. People and animals are at risk when carbon monoxide builds in enclosed spaces. Fatal levels of carbon monoxide can be produced in minutes, even when doors and windows are open.
Tips to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:
- Do not run a car in a garage that is attached to a house. This puts you at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning even with the garage door open.
- Do not use portable, flameless, chemical heaters indoors.
- Never use a gas oven to heat your home.
- Never use a generator inside your home, basement, garage or less than 20 feet from any window, door or vent.
- Have your chimney checked and cleaned every year.
- Make sure your fireplace damper is open before lighting a fire and well after the fire is extinguished.
- Install a battery-operated or battery backup carbon monoxide detector in the hallway near each separate sleeping area in your home.
- Check or replace the battery for each carbon monoxide detector when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall.
- Replace carbon monoxide detectors every five years.
Learn more about carbon monoxide poisoning here!
We all know energy plays a major role in our everyday lives, and it is a powerful resource that should be respected. At The Energy Cooperative, we encourage you to share these safety tips and lessons with children as often as possible.