As Election Day draws nearer I want to bring to your attention two important issues on the November ballot: electric and natural gas aggregation. Voting yes on these two issues would allow city council to enter into an agreement with an energy supplier to consolidate the energy usage of eligible households and small businesses in the community to lower energy costs.

The administration has researched aggregation and consulted with other communities and determined aggregation would be an economic benefit to the residents and businesses within our city. There is no cost to the taxpayers for the city to implement a program, and the city will have complete oversight.

I know many residents and business owners will be concerned about getting “trapped” in a program –participation is not mandatory, there are never any fees to exit the program, and you may opt-out at any time. You will still receive just one bill from the utility, and residents that have structured budget plans will be able to also budget under the city’s program.

If you presently have an agreement with a third-party supplier, the city’s program will not interfere with that contract. I should also note that no one representing the city’s program will ever go door to door.

We will host a public meeting at 7 p.m. on Oct. 27 at the Ironton City Center lobby and I would encourage you to participate. Aspen Energy has saved the city thousands of dollars the last few years on energy costs, and Marc Hollinger from Aspen Energy will be present to describe the program in greater detail.

You are welcome to contact him with any questions at (800)926-0046 ext. 223. He has successfully assisted two communities in Gallia County and numerous others statewide with their aggregation programs.

 

Rich Blankenship

Mayor of Ironton