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Mount Healthy council adopts emergency ordinance to continue natural gas aggregation with Direct Energy
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Summary
Council adopted an emergency ordinance authorizing the city manager to enter a supply agreement with Direct Energy Services LLC to continue Mount Healthy's natural gas aggregation program past March 31, 2026, delegating authority to lock a 24- or 36-month rate based on market conditions.
Mount Healthy's City Council voted unanimously to adopt an emergency ordinance authorizing continuation of the city's natural gas aggregation program and delegating authority to the city manager to execute a supply agreement with Direct Energy Services LLC.
The ordinance (25-2064) directs the city manager to enter a supply agreement to carry the aggregation program beyond the current contract end date of March 31, 2026, and uses opt-out provisions consistent with Ohio Revised Code section 4929.26. Council members debated whether to lock a 24-month or 36-month term, and agreed to give staff discretion to choose the term when market rates are favorable.
Eric Burns, CEO of Independent Energy Consultants, briefed council on market conditions and recommended continuing with the current supplier. "Recommendation, continue with your current supplier at a rate that is likely to be substantially the same as your current program rate for another 2 years," Burns said. He explained that the retail "adder" applied by suppliers covers pipeline transportation and administrative costs and that NYMEX-only prices can differ materially from the retail rate shown on customer bills.
Burns outlined the practical steps and timeline for enrollment if the contract is executed for an April 1 start: order customer lists from Duke Energy, prepare mailing materials and submit required PUCO notifications at least 10 days before mailings, then allow a 21-day opt-out period beginning with February mailings so eligible customers can opt out if they choose.
Council suspended the usual second-reading requirement to adopt the ordinance in the same meeting and passed it by roll call vote 6-0. Mayor and council members said they would continue to monitor NYMEX pricing and retail adders before instructing staff to lock a particular term.
The ordinance grants the city manager authority to negotiate and trigger a final fixed retail rate under the agreement; the exact contracted term and fixed price will be recorded when staff completes the enrollment steps and selects the market-triggered rate.
