Choosing your energy supply is a big decision. It’s important to do your homework and research options. But don’t be fooled by companies that lure you in with a low rate, only to jack up your bill with unfair fees and charges. The PUCO Apples to Apples Ohio website is designed to help you avoid these questionable energy suppliers.
The site is run by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). After entering your zip code, you will be prompted to select your local utility company from a list. The tool then displays a table of offers from certified energy suppliers. The table includes information about the supplier’s rates per kilowatt hour, term lengths, monthly fees, renewable content and more. You can also view the current PUCO Price to Compare, which is the base rate set by the utility.
Compare Natural Gas Rates
Since 1996, the state of ohio natural gas rates has allowed residents to shop for their energy supplier independently from their local gas utility. As a result of deregulation, residents are able to choose from competitive energy providers that offer perks like exceptional contract terms and rewards programs. In addition, the deregulation of the buckeye state’s natural gas industry allows for lower rates than those offered by the local gas utility.
As part of their horticultural research at NCSU, Mattheis’ team has been working to improve the effectiveness of 1-MCP on various fruits and vegetables. The scientists have discovered that the gas reduces ethylene levels in strawberries and decreases degreening of broccoli, browning of lettuce and bitterness in carrots. It has also been shown to prevent fungal rots in apples. The scientists are also evaluating its effects on other fruit varieties and vegetable species, including kiwifruit, bananas, sweet potatoes and squash.
1-MCP is an inexpensive, non-toxic compound that is produced naturally in the leaves and stems of some plants. The scientists are developing a method to efficiently transfer this naturally occurring substance from the plant to fruit. They are investigating whether the gas can effectively control fungi that cause fruit rots and diseases.
In the laboratory, the researchers have used 1-MCP to successfully treat both U.S. and foreign-grown apples for storage in controlled-atmosphere conditions. They have found that the gas significantly enhances the firmness of Red Delicious and Granny Smith apples after storage, compared to untreated apples. In some cases, the treatment has reduced or eliminated the need for fungicide applications.
In the retail marketplace, 1-MCP is being sold by AgroFresh under its SmartFresh brand. Previously, apple growers were forced to use fungicides or other chemicals to control fungi that affect fruit quality and marketability. AgroFresh has licensed the technology from ARS and is seeking federal approvals for its commercialization. In addition, a joint venture between NCSU and AgroFresh is testing the gas’s efficacy in cold-storage systems. This research could lead to the development of an efficient, low-cost system for fruit preserving. It could eventually replace fungicides in many cold-storage environments and help produce more nutritious, safe food for the public.
