Council refers proposed changes to city energy aggregation contract back to committee after environmental group urges broader amendments

Columbus council members on Tuesday referred proposed amendments to the city’s government aggregation retail electric supply agreement back to committee after testimony from the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) urged broader revisions.

Chris Tavner, general counsel for the OEC Action Fund, told the council the program has saved customers money but "is missing the mark on its original in-state renewable energy generation goals." He said state regulatory constraints limit the ability to procure in-state resources and recommended three contract changes: expand language and funding for community grant programs tied to aggregation savings; require AEP Energy, Trebel Energy and Sustainable Columbus to collaborate on a concrete plan to reach in-state renewable generation goals (including options beyond buying utility-scale clean power or RECs); and add language requiring a regular third-party audit of program performance.

Councilmember Weich, chairing the Public Utilities and Sustainability Committee, acknowledged the regulatory constraints and moved to refer the ordinance back to committee for further work and to consider OEC's recommendations and additional departmental conversations. The council voted to refer the item back to committee.

No final contract was adopted at the meeting. Council and OEC representatives said the referral is intended to allow staff, legal counsel and aggregation partners to explore how the program can be better aligned with the Columbus Climate Action Plan while addressing current state policy limitations.