By Paula Pyzik Scott
At the July 16 regular meeting of the Village of Ada Council, two resolutions were approved that will put governmental electric and natural gas village aggregation programs on the November 5 ballot in Ada.
The resolutions both assert that “governmental aggregation provides an opportunity for residential and small business customers collectively to participate in the potential benefits of electricity deregulation through lower electric rates which they would not otherwise be able to have individually.” (Full electric aggregation resolution 2024-59 HERE and full natural gas aggregation resolution 2024-60 HERE.)
Natural gas and electricity aggregation programs are allowed by Ohio law and give groups of customers the ability to negotiate for better terms. With local government aggregation, customers may opt-in or opt-out of the program.
An Ohio map showing what communities have aggregation programs is HERE. https://puco.ohio.gov/utilities/utility-maps/all-government-aggregators-...
In order to create these aggregation programs, a majority of electors voting at the election must approve two ballot questions. The ballot language for electric aggregation is shown here:
Shall Village of Ada have the authority to aggregate the retail electric loads located in the Village, and for that purpose, enter into service agreements to facilitate for those loads the sale and purchase of electricity, such aggregation to occur automatically except where any person elects to opt out?
____ FOR THE ELECTRIC AGGREGATION PROPOSAL
____ AGAINST THE ELECTRIC AGGREGATION PROPOSAL
The resolutions also provide that should Ada voters approve the ballot issues, the Village of Ada will hold at least two public hearings on the plan.
Notice of the hearings will be published for two consecutive weeks, summarizing the plan and stating the date, time and location of the hearings.
The resolutions provide that persons enrolled in aggregation may have the opportunity every three years to opt out of the program without paying a fee.
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