Montville, Middlefield Township Residents to Vote on Gas Aggregation
Voters in two townships — Montville and Middlefield — will decide Nov. 8 whether to give their local government the authority to negotiate, through the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council, for lower rates for the delivery of natural gas to the homes and businesses who use it.
If the issue passes, the two communities will join the county’s other townships, villages and the City of Chardon in using the bargaining power of the NOPEC consortium for natural gas delivery.
“We’re a little late in joining this, but we believe this is in the best interest of our residents who use natural gas,” Montville Township Trustee Frank Antenucci explained.
NOPEC is a nonprofit council of local governments and pro-consumer lobbying groups who work together to bring reliable and lower energy costs to families and businesses in thirteen counties in Northeast Ohio, according to its website. The group has been active in Geauga County for more than a decade at the county and township levels.
“NOPEC chose NextEra as our natural gas supplier in January 2014,” the consortium’s website reads, adding that the company uses Ohio gas, which benefits the consumer and helps local Ohio industry.
Montville Township Trustee Jim Marsic recently wrote a letter to residents explaining the need for the ballot issue.
The letter read, in part, “Gas aggregation (will) offer better rates to the small number of natural gas (customers) in your community. This requires a resolution to place gas aggregation on the November ballot.
“The theory behind aggregation is simple: by using bulk purchasing power, greater savings can be passed on to our residents and businesses. Through an aggregation program, Montville Township can join together with other communities to negotiate better prices and consumer protections. Without aggregation, individual households are then responsible for selecting an electric and natural gas supplier that would not offer the same low pricing and protections available from an aggregation.”
Marsic said Montville Township is already currently a member of NOPEC for its electric aggregation and has been since 2000.
“Dominion East Ohio would continue to deliver the natural gas to your home or business, repair and maintain the pipes and meters, and would continue to send you your utility bill,” he explained. “Nothing changes other than the discounted energy supply that is available through an aggregation.
“Even if your home is not serviced by Dominion East Ohio Gas. A yes vote will ensure that savings are available (to) those township residents that do have these utilities,” Marsic added. “A yes vote does not obligate anyone to participate or to change their existing utility.”
The ballot issue reads, in part: “Shall the township have the authority to aggregate the retail natural gas loads located within the unincorporated areas and enter into service agreements for sale and purchase of natural gas.”
The issue also states that an individual has the right to opt out of the program.
