ThisWeek CW 02/05/2015
http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2015/02/02/aggregation-rates-will-be-less-than-officials-expected.html
Madison Township’s electric aggregation program will save residents more money than officials had hoped.
“The rate we were looking for when we put out the 2014 request for proposals was $0.0719 (per kilowatt hour) and now it’s locked in at $0.0699,” township Administrator Susan Brobst said. “Our opt-out mailings are due to go out in early February; we’ll switch providers by March 1.”
Township voters approved an energy aggregation program in 2013 that allows officials to negotiate annually with electricity and natural gas providers for lower rates. Border Energy provided the township’s power over the last year; however, beginning in March, IGS Energy will be the new electricity provider for the township after offering the lowest rate and most favorable terms of the two bids received.
Residents who prefer to remain with AEP will need to opt out of the program. Letters explaining the opt-out process will be mailed in February.
Trustee Victor Paini said the lower rate is good, but he’s particularly pleased that residents will now be able to use a budget plan and that the contract with IGS does not include a termination fee.
“We were at around 90 percent of people opted-in to the current program (with Border Energy) but that last 10 percent hadn’t opted in because they’re on a fixed income and needed a budget plan, or because they didn’t want to risk the $25 early termination fee,” Paini said. “With the new agreement, both have been removed; we now have budget billing available with no early termination fees.”
The township will hold two information sessions to help residents understand the program, particularly if they previously chose to opt out of the Border Energy agreement but might want to consider the new IGS Energy agreement.
“We’ll hold two public information meetings where we encourage residents to bring their current energy bills in case they have questions,” Brobst said.
Both meetings will be held at the Community Center, 4575 Madison Lane. The first will start at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, and the second is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12.