Public Alliance for Community Energy (ACE)
1111 O St., Suite 200
Lincoln, NE 68508-3614
Ph: (800) 454-4759
Community-Owned ACE Rewards Local Group
Members of Bridgeport Boy Scout Troop 14 recently were awarded $250 for placing door hangers through Bridgeport neighborhoods reminding people to “Choose ACE” as their choice for a natural gas supplier during Nebraska Choice Gas selection period.
ACE, the Public Alliance for Community Energy, is the only community-owned, not-for-profit gas supplier in the Choice Gas Program. ACE participates in the Choice Gas program to provide competition, which prompts lower prices for consumers. ACE still holds to the same philosophy that led to its creation in 1998: providing competition to lower prices, local representation and keeping more money in Nebraska. Since 1998, ACE has returned more than $845,000 to its member communities for their local use, including $14,297 to the City of Bridgeport.
As colder temperatures settle in, community-owned natural gas supplier ACE (Public Alliance for Community Energy) reminds natural gas customers now is the time to prepare their homes to be as efficient as possible.
Natural gas commodity prices are down about 40 percent from last year. Even more savings can be gained by being proactive in using many low-cost or no-cost ways to further save on your natural gas bill during the fall and winter months.
Below are some helpful tips from ACE to winterize your home and lower your natural gas bill:
- Inspect windows and doors for drafts and apply/replace caulk to insulate and repair cracks in walls and around doors and windows;
- Set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature and dress in layers. Lower it a few degrees before leaving the house or going to bed. If possible, use a programmable thermostat to automatically control your home’s temperature;
- Seal leaks in furnace air ducts;
- Change or clean air filters monthly;
- Keep window blinds, shades and draperies open during the day to allow sunlight to warm your home. Close them at night for added insulation;
- Set ceiling fans to run clockwise, drawing air up and keeping warm air circulating;
- Lower your natural gas water heater to 115 or 120 degrees;
For customers who may have a hard time paying their heating bill this winter, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program may be available to help. As the only community-owned, not-for-profit natural gas supplier in the Choice Gas program, ACE strives to provide the best customer service possible. For questions about natural gas commodity pricing, contact ACE at (800) 234-2595. All other questions should be addressed to SourceGas Distribution at (800) 563-0012.
ACE rollover rates the lowest again
ACE, the Public Alliance for Community Energy, again had the lowest rollover natural gas rates among all suppliers in the Nebraska Choice Gas program.
Rollover rates from each supplier are applied to residential customers who did not make a selection during the two-week Choice Gas selection period, which ended April 30. Customers receive a rollover rate from the supplier they had the previous year. Each supplier’s rates are set after the end of the selection period.
Natural gas commodity prices during the selection period were about 40 percent lower than the previous year. The lower commodity pricing along with the lowest rollover rate is welcome relief to ACE customers affected by the current economy heading into the fall and winter.
ACE’s rollover fixed rate for the 2009-10 gas year (June 1 through May 30, 2010) is .779 cents per therm in the central region and .703 in the western region. The two rates are the lowest of the four suppliers that competed for customers during the selection period, according to rates released by the Nebraska Public Service Commission. Customers who chose ACE’s new MarketShield pricing option also received the favorable rollover rate.
“As a community-owned, not-for-profit supplier, ACE’s primary mission is to help keep natural gas prices as low as possible for everyone in the program,” said Beth Ackland, ACE retail gas services coordinator. “Whether you actively selected ACE as your supplier during the selection period or simply chose to remain a loyal ACE customer by rolling over from the previous year, we try and take care of each customer by striving to get the lowest price possible.”
In early March ACE distributed $144,774 to its member communities. The revenue distribution is from the 2007-08 gas year.
The ACE board of directors, which includes one representative from each of the member communities, may return any excess revenue beyond the cost of operating the organization to its member communities. Since forming in 1998, ACE has returned more than $845,000 back to its members.
ACE will again be the only community-owned, not-for-profit supplier in the Choice Gas selection period, which begins April 17 and runs through April 30.
ACE was formed to provide competition in the Choice Gas program in helping natural gas customers get the lowest price possible and keeping money in Nebraska.
Member communities have used these revenue distribution funds in many ways including improvements to infrastructure, public transportation and parks and playgrounds.
 | Thanks for Choosing ACE! |
Welcome to ACE!
ACE sets itself apart from investor-owned suppliers. As a not-for-profit supplier—revenue earned above the cost of operation may be returned to ACE communities by the board of directors. It is owned and controlled by its Nebraska member communities. Through competition and advocacy, ACE works for the benefit of all gas customers, even those not participating in the Choice Gas program. ACE actively monitors the natural gas industry and encourages members to become active participants in the regulatory process.