What is the Voluntary Fixed-Price Plan
The Voluntary Fixed-Price Plan is an optional plan customers may choose designed to lock in the per unit cost of gas for the twelve billing months of November 2011 through October 2012, for participants in the plan. The enrollment period for the 2011-2012 plan is September 1, 2011, through October 23, 2011.
After signing up, how long am I enrolled in the plan?
Enrollment for the plan year begins with the November 2011 bill through the October 2012 bill. Once you have enrolled, you cannot be removed until the plan ends in October 2012.
How does the plan help customers?
Knowing the per unit cost of gas for each month will allow customers to budget for gas costs each month with greater accuracy. Gas costs are the most unpredictable part of the bill and this plan effectively eliminates the unpredictability for that part of the bill.
Will I save money with this plan?
It depends on which way gas prices go over the 12 months. If they are higher than what was locked in, then you could save money; but, if they are lower than the prices locked in, then it may cost more money over the 12 months. This program does not in any way guarantee that you will have lower gas costs. It does guarantee that you will know upfront what those costs will be on a per unit basis.
Can I enroll if I have opted out of the Temperature Adjustment?
No. The Voluntary Fixed-Price Plan is available only to customers who have not opted out of the Temperature Adjustment. This is because both the Voluntary Fixed-Price Plan and the Temperature Adjustment are designed to take the unpredictability out of your natural gas bill. It seems natural that the two go hand-in-hand. If you previously opted out of the Temperature Adjustment Clause but now want to participate in VFP you may choose to opt back in to the TAC.
Should I enroll in the Voluntary Fixed-Price Plan?
That is entirely your decision. If you want to pay the same cost per dekatherm for the 12-month period, and you can accept that you may or may not have lower gas costs than you would otherwise, the Voluntary Fixed-Price Plan could be for you.
I have a commercial account. Can I enroll in this program?
Oklahoma Natural understands the impact of fluctuating energy costs on small businesses so we requested and received approval to open the Voluntary Fixed-Price Plan up to small commercial, industrial, school and hospital customers that use less than 150 Dekatherms per year. Non-residential customers are required to participate in our Automatic Bank Draft Plan, which is a hassle-free way to pay your Oklahoma Natural bill, if they elect to participate in VFP.
Learn more about Automatic Bank Draft.