Girard takes electricity issue to voters

By John w. Goodwin jr.

Even if the aggregation plan is approved, residents may opt out of the agreement.

GIRARD — City officials here will be asking voters for permission to enter into an agreement that officials hope will save residents money on electric bills.

Council members passed emergency legislation to place a question on the May ballot asking voters if the city administration should be permitted to enter into an electricity aggregation. The ballot issue does not pertain to any set agreement, but would merely give city leaders permission to enter into an aggregation agreement at a later date.

Council has planned an April 13 work session with a representative of Buckeye Energy to discuss the process and address any concerns or questions from voters.

Councilman Brian Kren said the aggregation process is ideal for the city because it will allow for the pooling of all city electric consumers with the end result being a better price for electricity.

“Looking at the growing energy costs, everyone is always looking to save money and this is a way our government can respond or react and address the needs of people in town,” he said. “We can pool our resources together and possibly get a better rate.”

Kren said that if voters choose to allow an aggregation plan to be installed, the city will immediately begin looking for better rates than those offered by Ohio Edison, the city’s current supplier for electricity.

“No deal will go through unless it is better than what we are currently getting,” he said.

Kren said it is important for city electric customers to remember that electric aggregation plans are “opt-out” plans, meaning that once the city enters into an aggregation agreement, all city customers will be included in the plan unless they tell the supplier they do not wish to participate.

Customers are given 21 days to opt out of the program once an agreement has been reached.

If voters agree to allow an aggregation plan, the city will have two public hearings during the 21-day opt-out period. Those who would opt out of the agreement would remain with Ohio Edison as an electric supplier.

Information supplied to the city states that meter reading and billing will still be conducted by OE.

Kren said it is important to make bills current before an agreement is reached because customers on certain payment plans and those with delinquent bills are not eligible to participate in the aggregation.

Commercial accounts in the community with a high demand for electricity are also ineligible to participate in the program.

jgoodwin@vindy.com