ONTARIO — Ontario officials reminded residents recently about the new electric aggregation program, which should decrease electric rates for residents this summer.
Last fall, Ontario City Council used electric aggregation consulting services from Buckeye Energy Brokers to secure a fixed rate of 4.99 cents per kilowatt hour with Dynegy for three years beginning July 1.
“Right now the electric rates are between 5.25 and 5.75 cents (per kilowatt hour), and rates right now are variable. We wanted a fixed rate,” said service safety director Jeff Wilson. “The 4.99 (cents per kilowatt hour) fixed for three years is very appealing.”
Residents will soon receive a card in the mail from Buckeye Energy Brokers or Dynegy with more information. To opt-out immediately, they must follow the instructions on the card and return it. But to be included, they do not need to respond. All Ontario residents will automatically be included in the program, still with the free option to opt-out later.
The same applies to most businesses. Only businesses that use more than 700,000 kilowatts hours per month will have to intentionally opt-in. City officials haven’t clarified yet what that process looks like.
What Wilson most wanted to share with the community was that more information is coming soon. He and several members of council explained that they’ve received phone calls — some seemingly legitimate and others more questionable in their authenticity — about locking in other rates with other electric companies.
Wilson wanted to remind residents they need to do nothing to participate in the change in electric rates to 4.99 cents per kilowatt hour.
If they find a lower rate, he encourages them to accept that offer, but to first research the contract, determining if the offer includes a variable or fixed rate and low or no opt-out fees.
“(Buckeye Energy Brokers) got us a rate of 4.99 cents per kilowatt hour for both businesses and residents. It’s a very good rate and we feel very good about that,” Wilson said.
Ontario has previously participated in electrical aggregation programs, too, including one that began in 2010 and ends in July. The rate was variable and didn’t include businesses. Further, residents had to pay a $25 fee if they wished to opt out. That deal, Wilson said, was not nearly as enticing as the new rate that’ll be offered.
