MOUNT VERNON — Beginning with Columbia Gas’ April bills, some consumers may notice a small change. What is called the Gas Cost Recovery adjustment will be replaced by something called the Standard Service Offer. This will affect consumers who buy their gas directly from Columbia Gas, and will not be seen on bills of those using the customer CHOICE program to buy gas from third-party suppliers.

Aside from the new term, nothing else on the bill will change. The big change will be how Columbia Gas buys the gas it sells to its consumers. The contract for gas will be determined by an auction sanctioned by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. The low bidder gets the contract. Here’s how it works.