COLUMBUS, OH — Many customers of Columbia Gas of Ohio can expect slight relief on their energy bills starting this month, as new natural gas rates take effect.
The company announced that customers enrolled in the Standard Choice Offer (SCO) program will see a decrease of about $1 per thousand cubic feet (MCF) of natural gas used beginning in April.
The change comes after the annual supplier auction conducted by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio each January. The 2026 auction resulted in lower natural gas prices compared to the previous year, when higher market rates led to increased customer bills.
Natural gas costs are set annually through this auction process and remain fixed from April through March. These costs appear on customer bills under the “Supply” portion, which typically makes up about half of the total bill. Officials note that this portion is a pass-through cost, meaning the utility does not profit from it.
Most customers are automatically enrolled in the SCO program, though some choose to purchase natural gas through independent suppliers via the CHOICE program. Those customers may return to the SCO program if they wish by contacting their supplier.
Utility officials say the latest adjustment reflects improving market conditions and should provide modest savings for households heading into the spring and summer months.
