Volunteer Energy Services, is a for-profit company that buys natural gas and sells it to municipalities through contracts with cities and villages as well as individuals and those participating in their choice program.
The benefits of the choice program, as presented by Volunteer Energy’s Fred Holmes, is reduced natural gas rates for chamber members and a return on investment to the chamber based upon the volume of natural gas used by it and its members. This return is based on so many cents per cubic feet of natural gas purchased by the chamber and its members as a reimbursement.
Volunteer Energy Services can offer these services since natural gas has been deregulated, giving, at least those locally, a choice beyond Columbia Gas. However, Holmes said the program is not available to those who have Knox Energy as their natural gas provider which locally excludes Racine, Rutland, Syracuse.
Pomeroy recently voted to place an issue on the May ballot which, if passed, would allow village officials to act as the head of a bargaining unit / buying group for residents who wish to participate in the program. The village would then attempt to purchase natural gas at a reduced rate in comparison to other utility companies. This would affect customers, including commercial customers, not already on a gas utility company’s plan. By bargaining with a larger group, it’s thought the price for the utility would be lower than what the individual would be offered directly.
Municipalities already participating in program are Brooklyn, Alliance, Brewester, Navarre, Broadview Heights, Marion, Gallipolis, Mount Vernon. Athens has also voted to place the issue on the May ballot.
Commercial customers of Volunteer Energy Services include Commercial Consortiums Alliances McDonalds, Wendy’s, Tim Hortons, Donatos Pizza, Max & Erma’s, Panera Breads, etc.
For more information contact Holmes at 614-328-2938 or at fholmes@volunteerenergy.com.
In other chamber announcements:
The Meigs Medical Center will offer a free blood pressure screening from 9 a.m. - noon, Monday, March 2. Also offered is a cholesterol and glucose screening for $5 by appointment. Call 992-9158.
The Meigs County Tourism Office and FM K92 is sponsoring “A Taste of Home Magazine” cooking school called “Spring Sensations.” Doors open at 5 p.m., presentation begins at 7 p.m. on March 23 at Meigs High School. Tickets are $15 each and available at the chamber office or K92 or by calling 992-6485, 992-2239.
There will be an open house from 1:30-4 p.m., Tuesday at Rocksprings Rehabilitation Center.
4-H month begins next month with the first Saturday of each month designated for activities.
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