Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc.

Version: March 8, 2023

This Website (including without limitation information, surveys, interactive forms or chat/chatbots) and related functions and services (collectively, “Website”) are operated and maintained by Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc. (“Columbia Gas”, "Company" or “we”). By using this Website, you agree to be bound by and to use the Website in strict accordance with these Terms of Use. If you do not agree to these Terms of Use, do not access or otherwise use this Website. Headings and captions contained in these Terms of Use are for reference only and do not define, interpret or limit the scope or content of these Terms of Use and shall be given no effect in the interpretation of these Terms of Use.

Limitation of Liability and Arbitration

TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW, WITH RESPECT TO YOUR USE OF THIS WEBSITE OR ANY HYPERLINKED WEBSITE, IN NO EVENT WILL COLUMBIA GAS OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES BE LIABLE TO ANY PARTY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY LOST PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF PROGRAMS OR OTHER DATA ON YOUR INFORMATION HANDLING SYSTEM OR OTHERWISE EVEN IF WE ARE EXPRESSLY ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

YOU AGREE THAT YOU WILL SUBMIT ANY DISPUTE ARISING OUT OF, OR CONNECTED TO, YOUR USE OF THIS WEBSITE OR ANY HYPERLINKED WEBSITE EXCLUSIVELY TO BINDING INDIVIDUAL (NON-CLASS) ARBITRATION TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION (“AAA”). Information about the arbitration process and procedures is available at www.adr.org. If, for any reason, AAA is not available, you may file your case with any national arbitration company. The arbitration shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act. 

No Warranties

THIS WEBSITE AND ANY HYPERLINKED WEBSITE ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES, SO THE ABOVE EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

These Terms of Use and information on this Website may contain technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Information may be changed or updated without notice. Columbia Gas may also make improvements and/or changes in the products and/or the programs described in this information at any time without notice. This Website may also contain  forward-looking statements. Use the forward-looking statement link to view additional information.Translation

As a convenience, you can choose to convert English to another language on this website, using Google Translate. This website is using technology to translate content into multiple languages; however, all features and content cannot be translated at this time. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. This automated tool is not perfect. As a result, the translation may lose some of its intended meaning. Also some content, like videos and graphics, may not be shown. We don’t control and can’t guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Use this tool solely at your own risk. Do not rely solely on this translation text for any important purpose, including in matters of safety, to understand your legal rights, for financial decisions, or the like. The English version is always the authoritative version of this website and will always control in the event of a dispute or inconsistency with converted text. The Company's official communications with you will be in English.

Information You Share With Us

Please note that any information or material including, but not limited to, survey responses provided to Columbia Gas will be deemed NOT to be confidential, unless we have an agreement otherwise with you. By sending Columbia Gas any information or material, you grant Columbia Gas an unrestricted, irrevocable license to use, reproduce, display, perform, modify, transmit and distribute those materials or information, and you also agree that Columbia Gas is free to use any ideas, concepts, know-how or techniques that you send us for any purpose. The Company may modify these Terms of Use at any time. The updated Terms of Use will be posted for thirty (30) days before becoming effective.

Learn more about Columbia Gas’ privacy practices.

Third Party Links, Sites and Services

Columbia Gas makes no representations whatsoever about any other Website which you may access through this one. When you access a non-Columbia Gas Website, please understand that it is independent from Columbia Gas, and that Columbia Gas has no control over the content on that Website. In addition, a link to a non-Columbia Gas site does not mean that Columbia Gas endorses or accepts any responsibility for the content, or the use, of such Website. It is up to you to take precautions to ensure that whatever you select for your use is free of such items as viruses, worms, trojan horses and other similar items of a harmful nature.

Reference on the Website to any products, services, processes, hypertext links to third parties or other information by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, supplier or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply the endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation of Columbia Gas. Product and service information are the sole responsibility of each individual vendor.

Use of Our Forms

We attempt to secure your sensitive personal information provided on our online forms using a variety of technologies and security devices. Note, however, no safeguards can guarantee complete security or privacy of your sensitive personal information. Columbia Gas is not responsible for technical, hardware or software failures of any kind in relation to any use of this Internet site. We cannot know when problems arise on the Internet, or when equipment incompatibilities distort messages. We are not responsible for incomplete, distorted or delayed computer transmissions all of which may affect the information or interactive forms or chatbots on this Website. 

 

Website Usage

This site is owned and operated by or on behalf of the Company. To keep this Website safe and functioning properly for all customers, we may suspend or block account activity as we deem appropriate. Without limitation, the Company may suspend or block account activity that violates these Terms of Use.

For example, the following activities are not permitted on this Website for any reason whatsoever: 

• uploading viruses or malicious code or doing anything that could disable; overburden or impair the proper performance or appearance of this Website;
• accessing or collecting data from our Website using automated or any other unauthorized means (without our prior permission);
• accessing or attempting to access data or accounts you do not have permission to access;
• any unlawful, misleading, discriminatory or fraudulent activity;
• activities that may harm our users or business;
• activities that may compromise or interfere with the integrity or operation of any of our services, systems, or this Website.

Note, your email, username and any password(s) used to access your web based tools made available by the Company should be kept confidential. The Company is not responsible for any loss or damage incurred because you shared them with a third party or did not otherwise keep your user login ID and password confidential.

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

Forward Looking Statement Disclaimer

 

This website contains "forward-looking statements," within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Investors and prospective investors should understand that many factors govern whether any forward-looking statement contained herein will be or can be realized. Any one of those factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning our plans, strategies, objectives, expected performance, expenditures, recovery of expenditures through rates, stated on either a consolidated or segment basis, and any and all underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical fact. Expressions of future goals and expectations and similar expressions, including "may," "will," "should," "could," "would," "aims," "seeks," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "intends," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," "targets," "forecast," and "continue," reflecting something other than historical fact are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that management believes to be reasonable; however, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially. 

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the projections, forecasts, estimates and expectations discussed in this website include, among other things, our ability to execute our business plan or growth strategy, including utility infrastructure investments; potential incidents and other operating risks associated with our business; our ability to adapt to, and manage costs related to, advances in technology; impacts related to our aging infrastructure; our ability to obtain sufficient insurance coverage and whether such coverage will protect us against significant losses; the success of our electric generation strategy; construction risks and natural gas costs and supply risks; fluctuations in demand from residential and commercial customers; fluctuations in the price of energy commodities and related transportation costs or an inability to obtain an adequate, reliable and cost-effective fuel supply to meet customer demands; the attraction and retention of a qualified, diverse workforce and ability to maintain good labor relations; our ability to manage new initiatives and organizational changes; the actions of activist stockholders; the performance of third-party suppliers and service providers; potential cybersecurity attacks; increased requirements and costs related to cybersecurity; any damage to our reputation; any remaining liabilities or impact related to the sale of the Massachusetts Business; the impacts of natural disasters, potential terrorist attacks or other catastrophic events; the physical impacts of climate change and the transition to a lower carbon future; our ability to manage the financial and operational risks related to achieving our carbon emission reduction goals, including our Net Zero Goal; our debt obligations; any changes to our credit rating or the credit rating of certain of our subsidiaries; any adverse effects related to our equity units; adverse economic and capital market conditions or increases in interest rates; inflation; recessions; economic regulation and the impact of regulatory rate reviews; our ability to obtain expected financial or regulatory outcomes; continuing and potential future impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic; economic conditions in certain industries; the reliability of customers and suppliers to fulfill their payment and contractual obligations; the ability of our subsidiaries to generate cash; pension funding obligations; potential impairments of goodwill; the outcome of legal and regulatory proceedings, investigations, incidents, claims and litigation; potential remaining liabilities related to the Greater Lawrence Incident; compliance with the agreements entered into with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to settle the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s investigation relating to the Greater Lawrence Incident; compliance with applicable laws, regulations and tariffs; compliance with environmental laws and the costs of associated liabilities; changes in taxation; and other matters set forth in Item 1, "Business," Item 1A, "Risk Factors" and Part II, Item 7, "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, some of which risks are beyond our control. In addition, the relative contributions to profitability by each business segment, and the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements relating thereto, may change over time. 

All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. We undertake no obligation to, and expressly disclaim any such obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or changes to the future results over time or otherwise, except as required by law.