The city of Columbus has taken one of biggest steps towards sustainability this year, by putting community choice aggregation on the 2020 Ballot. Not only is this aggregation program aimed to have competitive pricing for its residents, but its goal is also to have 100% renewable energy by 2022.
So, what do we know exactly about aggregation programs and what they offer?
Governmental Aggregation can often be called community
aggregation, municipal aggregation, or in this case community choice
aggregation. This concept came together after S.B. 3 was implemented and
deregulation began in 2001.Deregulation would allow for a more competitive
energy market, thus giving residents more options. Community choice aggregation
then comes into play, by acting as one large customer. The City of Columbus
(the large customer) will then negotiate
on behalf of all the residents within the program, to execute a contract that
best meets the goals for
its residents. The City will consider many factors which will include feedback
from the community, prices, energy source, terms, the supplier etc. All of
which will result in an agreement for the program and its constituents.
Furthermore,
the aggregation program will only be in effect if the people of the City vote
yes for it to pass this November 3rd election. Voting yes for the
program to be in place does not mean you are required to participate in the
program, it simply means you agree that a program is in place. The program will
be an Opt-Out program (no fee
required) which
means only eligible residents will be enrolled automatically into the program
Here
are some important questions voters may ask themselves:
What makes you an eligible resident? If you are NOT
currently on another program or under a separate contract with a third-party
supplier, are the two most common factors that makes up an eligible customer.
What happens if I do want to participate in the program,
but I am not eligible? To participate in the program, you will need to
leave your current contract before enrolling into the aggregation program.
Are there any fees
to Join? There are absolutely no fees to join the community choice
aggregation program, but there may be fees to leave your current contract if
you have a third-party supplier.
What if I want to leave to program? You are not
obligated to stay in the program. There are zero early termination fees.
Meaning you can leave the program at any time at no cost.