Need to learn more about the energy aggregation ballot issues?
Franklin Twp. trustees will host an information meeting to learn more about Issues 6 and 7 and about energy aggregation at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4 at the township building, 418 Fairview Drive, Carlisle.
Franklin Twp. residents who live outside of Franklin, Middletown and Carlisle will vote on a pair of issues that may save them money on their electric and natural gas bills.
Ohio law allows communities to aggregate their retail electrical users and enter into service agreements for the purchase and sale of electricity and natural gas. It also provides an opportunity for residential and small business consumers to participate collectively in the potential for lower electricity rates, which would not otherwise be available to those individual utility customers.
Township Administrator Traci Stivers said an energy management company would seek out the lowest utility rates and negotiate with that energy provider for the rate township residents would be charged.
“But, they don’t guarantee the price and (the rate) it could come back at a higher rate,” she said.
Last spring, Trebel, LLC, a Westerville-based company, met with trustees to discuss aggregation. The company is certified by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to perform these services.
If voters approve Issues 6 and 7 in November, Franklin Twp. would have the authority to negotiate the lowest possible energy rates through a company that would track down the lowest rates. Homeowners would have 21 days to opt-out of the township aggregation and purchase their energy as they currently do now.
Beth Callahan, trustees president, said she brought this up two years ago as she was asked to choose an energy provider.
“The utility will listen to a group of people instead of one customer,” she said. “I think it’s a good idea and we’re letting the people vote on it.”
She and fellow Trustee Brian Morris voted to place the electricity and natural gas aggregation issues on the ballot. They also approved an energy consulting and management agreement with Trebel, LLC. Trustee Ron Ruppert voting against it. According to the Aug. 3 meeting minutes Ruppert expressed concerns including the opt-out program, meaning residents are automatically signed up and must take action to opt-out of the aggregated rate.
At that meeting, resident Shirley Snelling of Franklin-Trenton Road, expressed her displeasure that the township was interfering with her utilities. According to the meeting minutes, she said that over the years many companies have approached her about aggregation, but after looking into it further, she always chosen to stay with Duke Energy.
Her husband, Mike Snelling, told the Journal-News that he does not understand how Duke Energy can sell electricity through a third-party.
“Maybe I don’t understand,” he said. “But when someone offers you a cheaper price, you have to ask questions… It’s kinda like your taxes and politicians say they can reduce them. I don’t think I can afford any more reductions.”
In addition to Franklin Twp., energy aggregation issues for natural gas and electric are on the ballot in the village of Corwin and Wayne Twp. in Butler County; electric aggregation issues are on the ballot in Hanover and Madison townships in Butler County.
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