MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon city residents will now have the opportunity to decide on having the city participate in a governmental electricity aggregation program with opt-out provisions. The move to place such an item on the Nov. 8 election ballot was approved by Mount Vernon City Council when they met in special session Tuesday afternoon at City Hall.
Jay Maners of the utilities committee explained how they have been in discussion with representatives from Buckeye Energy Brokers Inc. in contracting with them as a broker for selecting the best price for electric service in the city. Buckeye Energy has reportedly presented a proposal which would reflect a 6 percent decrease in electric rates. This decrease is to come off the cost of electricity, not off the electric transmission.
“This is still in its infancy,” said Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Mavis. He explained how all Mount Vernon city customers are currently on American Electric Power and would be part of the aggregate agreement with the ability to opt-out with no fee for the first 21 days. A small fee would apply for later opt-outs. The agreement would be a two-year program which could be renewed. AEP would still be the carrier, while Buckeye Energy would be the brokers providing the lowest cost.
