MOUNT VERNON – A pair of measures to appear on the Nov. 2 ballot aims to equip residents and small businesses in the county's unincorporated areas to trim their utility bills through an aggregation program.
According to a press release from the Knox County Commissioners, the proposals seek voter approval for aggregation programs: one for electricity and the other for natural gas.
The commissioners said if the proposals receive approval, it would not only cut costs but also create "peace of mind."
"Many citizens receive phone calls from suppliers or are visited at their door by salespeople looking to sign them up for different programs," the release stated.
Making such decisions after a brief visit to one's front door can be tricky, the release said, because the terms of such deals are "long, technical and confusing."
The caveat in such deals is that the rates may start out low, but they grow over time or automatically renew at a higher rate once the initial term expires. The result is sticker shock for residents after only a few months.
Under Ohio law, counties can form aggregated buying groups to purchase electricity and natural gas for residents, the release said. The aggregation program leverages the combined buying power of citizens in unincorporated areas, hence providing a better price than each household could access alone.
But the upcoming measure must receive majority approval before officials can enact it. Here are some points to keep in mind:
• It's open to residents and small businesses using less than 700,000 kilowatt hours or 500 MCF of natural gas.
• Residents will automatically be enrolled once it passes. The only action required is if you want to opt out. There are no fees or costs for leaving the program.
• Customers will still receive bills from AEP, Ohio Edison, Dominion East Ohio and Columbia Gas of Ohio and will not receive a separate bill from their electric or natural gas supplier.
After the program has been approved by the voters, the Commissioners will hold two public hearings to explain the program and answer any questions. When the contract has been reviewed and signed, the supplier who won the contract will send an opt-out letter to all eligible citizens.
For more information on power aggregation in Ohio, energychoice.ohio.gov/Pages/What%20is%20Aggregation.aspx
