Hocking County votes to continue Palmer Energy aggregation program for 2026

The Hocking County Board of Commissioners voted Oct. 30 to continue the county's electric aggregation program for the 2026 calendar year under the Palmer Energy offering, which the board said will contract with Constellation for generation and DynaG for program services.

"I am going to recommend and make a motion that we continue on with the program that is brought by Palmer Energy, which contracts us with Constellation for the Generation and with DynaG," Commissioner 2 said during the discussion. The board discussed alternatives and concluded that while other short-term rates were seen, the Palmer program offered a locked rate for the full 2026 year.

The motion passed on an oral vote. Commissioners noted that some potential providers could offer lower rates but not with a long guarantee; the Palmer program as described in the meetinglocks rates for the full calendar year of 2026. One commissioner cited statements about new state funds and expected increased generation capacity as a possible cause for lower rates in 2027, but the board's decision prioritized a locked one-year term to provide predictability for residents.

Commissioners instructed staff to proceed with contracting and to have county counsel review agreements with Palmer Energy, Constellation and DynaG before execution.

Ending: The county will operate under the Palmer Energy aggregation terms for 2026; contract execution and customer-notice steps will follow standard procurement and notification procedures.