Another issue on the ballot this November for the city is Issue 13 which deals with the aggregation of natural gas.
Ø What is this? This is a plan that will allow the city to contract with a single source provider of natural gas. It allows the city to negotiate a price for all participants in the program. Because of the usually high number of participants, a lower price is usually achieved.
Ø What isn’t this? This is not a mandatory program. The ballot language specifies that this is an “opt out” program. In other words, if passed by a majority of the voters, any resident has the option to opt out of the program and continue services they currently have. Many suppliers of natural gas have you sign a term contract which in many cases is two years. You would not be forced to get out of that contract and the option to join the city’s supplier at the end of your contract is always open.
If approved and a contract is awarded to a supplier, the contract vehicle will specify that members can opt out after every two years.
More information will soon be available on the city website (www.pickerington.net) Public hearings at council will be scheduled and aggregation will be a topic on the council agendas in the near future. Notices of those hearings and the council agendas will also be available on the city website.
I feel that offering this option to you is important. Any opportunity we have, as elected officials, to offer you the choice of lower costs with no degradation in service is something we should do. There is no risk of affecting anyone’s freedom of choice in this proposal. You will have ample time and opportunity to review all documentation throughout the process and make your own choices.
I can only hope that elected officials throughout our area consider looking at an aggregation program for their residents. It is important that we all have as many options as possible to choose from when making important decisions for our families.
Respectfully,
Mitch O’Brien
Mayor of Pickerington
