PROCTORVILLE — The Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce’s Fourth Friday Luncheon featured Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) Public Information Officer Erin MacLellan.

MacLellan, who is responsible for educating residents and businesses, conducted a PowerPoint presentation detailing Energy Choice Ohio, a tool that allows customers to shop for an energy supplier, whether electric or natural gas.

“The ability to choose an electric or natural gas supplier gives consumers a greater variety of pricing plans and allows consumers more freedom to determine what is the best option for their household or business,” MacLellan said. “While the PUCO can’t guarantee that your bills will decrease if you participate, the ‘Apples to Apples’ chart makes it quick and easy to compare a variety of suppliers.”

“Apple to Apples” is an online comparison tool that MacLellan described as “really accessible” and “easy to read” that offers side-by-side differences between electric and natural gas supplier plans, cost and contract terms.

“The chart is updated daily if updates are needed,” she said. “I think once you see it you will be surprised by the offers on the page and to know that there are a number of options out there.”

Important things to consider, MacLellan said, are price per kilowatt-hour, a fixed or variable rate, length of contract, the termination fee and incentives.

“Pay close attention to the length of contract and if it has an automatic renewal,” she said. “Many times after a 12-month contract expires it automatically becomes month-to-month and the rate may change. It’s up to the consumer to check the charts and make the decision about whether to renew.”

More information is available at www.energychoice.ohio.gov.