Electric Aggregation Issue 39

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Worthington voters will decide whether to give the City authority to pool the community’s buying power with the goal of lowering household electric bills and increasing renewable (green) energy usage. Worthington City Council voted at its June 18, 2018 meeting to place an electric aggregation issue on the November 6, 2018 ballot. If approved, the City could negotiate a bulk price on behalf of its residents and small businesses for purchasing electricity.

There would be no levy or tax on any resident, business, or the City itself. Other communities currently use aggregation programs to reduce electric rates and purchase renewable-generated electricity. City Council will also require that there be a no-cost opt-out option for any resident or business. Consumers who already have their own contract with a separate electric supplier would not be immediately eligible.

8/28/2018 Electric Aggregation Information Meeting Presentation

With Issue 39 voter approval, the city will seek competitive bids on behalf of residents and small businesses. City Council will assess the bids, and choose the most advantageous - based on cost savings and green energy content - before the program is implemented.

Under the program, residents would experience no change in their electric service. AEP would continue to carry, service, and bill for the electricity service. The only change would be in the generation source of the electricity which would be identified on the AEP bill.

Worthington voters will see the following language for Issue 39 on their ballots this November:

“Shall the City of Worthington, County of Franklin, Ohio have the authority to aggregate the retail electric loads located in the City and enter into service agreements to facilitate for those loads the sale and purchase of electric, such aggregation to occur automatically except where any person elects to opt-out?”

If approved by the voters, the City will work with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to certify the City of Worthington as a governmental aggregator and negotiate the most favorable contract for its residents based on cost and amount of green energy. City Council will formally accept or deny proposals prior to implementing the aggregation program.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have additional questions, please contact the City of Worthington Finance Department at 614-786-7353.