More than one hundred natural gas customers in Trumbull County may not have service starting in September. 

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) issued an order Wednesday that detailed the company, One Source Energy LLC, has not been following state laws.

One Source operates its facility in Niles, where 118 customers in Southington Township use its services, and may not be able to switch to another company.

"Unfortunately, the Public Utilites Comission doesn't have the authority or a means to necessarily direct another utility to come in and step in and take over the system," said Matt Shilling, Director of Public Affairs for PUCO. 

PUCO officials said One Source Energy lacks the managerial, technical and financial resources necessary to safely operate a natural gas utility, and is likely operating in violation of state and federal gas pipeline safety standards.

They issued a $25,000 fine to the company for failing to comply with a previous commission order to cease enrolling new customers, according to a press release. 

Additionally, the utility failed to acknowledge or correct alleged violations resulting from two PUCO safety inspections, and failed to appear at PUCO hearings.

They also directed the Ohio Attorney General to seek a court order to compel the company to comply.

In 2016, One Source filed an application with the PUCO to be certified as a natural gas distribution company.

However, in 2017, PUCO staff filed its review of the company’s application and noted the utility was providing service to customers without the Commission’s authority, and the certification application was incomplete.

Another year later in 2018, Once Source officials failed to comply with subpoenas to appear for depositions and provide testimony regarding its operations, according to PUCO officials. 

Then, this year, PUCO staff updated its recommendation indicating One Source continued to fail to comply with requests for information or reply to multiple notices that the company was in violation of gas pipeline safety rules.

The company has until August 9 to pay the money and comply with the laws or else all services will be shut down for its customers on September 6.

Shilling encourages customers to look into other alternatives in the meantime, including switching to propane or reaching out to nearby natural gas utilites so they can continue their services.

Customers with questions about their utility service can reach the PUCO Call Center online at PUCO.ohio.gov or by calling (800) 686-7826.