On June 14, 2023, Hilliard City Council voted to have the City contract with Dynegy Energy Services as the provider for its green energy electric aggregation program, which was approved by voters in November 2022.
Dynegy was one of three energy suppliers that submitted proposals to be the provider of aggregated green energy for Hilliard residents and businesses. The company was selected based on a combination of the price it quoted and because it offers a “net metering program” that allows residents with solar panels to sell energy back to the power grid.
The rate for those enrolled in the program will be 6.99 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) – almost 5 cents less per kWh than AEP’s June 2024 market price of 11.84 cents per kWh. The program will go into effect in September, with residents seeing the aggregated rates appearing on their October electric bills. The contract with the City is for 24 months, but residents are not locked in to a contract. They may choose to opt out of this program at any time and at no additional cost.
Residents also will have an option of participating in a program that offers electricity sourced from more traditional sources. That price will be 6.63 cents per kWh. Information on both options, including full pricing details, will be mailed to consumers by Dynegy later this summer.
Electricity will continue to be provided to residents on AEP’s existing power lines, and AEP will continue to be the company to call for power outages and other service problems.
“Residents and businesses that participate in the electric aggregation program will benefit from electric utility rates that are lower than what AEP has provided since 2022, and significantly lower rates than AEP had in effect as of June 1, 2023,” said Dan Ralley, Assistant City Manager.
Residents who have not already opted out of the aggregation program (and who are not already in a contract with another provider) will be automatically enrolled in the City’s green-energy program program in September unless they choose to opt out and select their own provider.
“For those who do participate, there is no obligation to stay in the program. Our residents will have the opportunity to opt out at any time and at no cost,” Ralley said.
Later this summer, Dynegy will be communicating via mail with Hilliard residents about the specifics of the program, including pricing and how to opt out if desired. Information also will be available on the City of Hilliard’s website.
In November 2022, voters gave the City of Hilliard the authority to create an aggregation program based on sustainably sourced energy, such as solar or wind power. The source of this electricity can include the purchase of renewable energy certificates – basically, buying credits for renewable energy generated elsewhere in the country.
