Springfield News-Sun
By Bridgette Outten
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
SPRINGFIELD — Clark County commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to put an initiative on the May ballot that will let county residents decide if they want the county acting as a purchasing agent for electricity.
Commissioners voted on the issue Tuesday, Jan. 19.
The county measure will mirror the city of Springfield’s action on a similar resolution for city residents.
Commissioners were scheduled to meet with representatives from three villages — Catawba, Tremont City and North Hampton — customers that could be part of the program Tuesday, but the representatives did not attend the meeting. Donnelsville and Enon residents could also join in the program, but village officials have not yet been in talks with the county.
First Energy Manager of External Relations Tim Suter said all five villages will need to draft their own resolutions.
Commissioners moved forward with the program, despite not yet knowing if some 4,000 village customers will be added on to the county’s 24,100 First Energy customers.
“We’re hoping that they would pass a resolution supporting it because it would be good for county residents,” Commission President Roger Tackett said.
First Energy is offering a onetime community grant to the county and discounts to customers on generation costs if Clark County becomes part of the company’s aggregation program.
The county would get an estimated $723,000, equal to $30 per customer enrolled in the program.
Residents would receive a 6 percent savings on generation costs and businesses would receive a 4 percent discount during the nine-year agreement. Customers would be able to opt out of the program every three years without penalty or pay a $25 fee to cancel at any time.
Commissioner David Hartley said he has been a longtime supporter of aggregation programs and Commissioner John Detrick said he was excited that residents would be able to save on electric costs.
“It will keep our costs of living down and no expense to anybody,” Detrick said. “And if you don’t want it, you can still opt out.”
