Commissioners review 36‑month natural gas aggregation proposal with $4.93/MCF price
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Summary
County staff and a consultant presented RFP results recommending a 36‑month natural gas aggregation contract at an indicative price of $4.93 per MCF, saying residents can opt out; commissioners asked legal staff to confirm which municipalities and townships are included before authorizing signature authority.
County commissioners on Wednesday heard results from a competitive process for a countywide natural gas aggregation program and discussed authorizing staff to finalize a 36‑month contract.
Kirk, a consultant working with the County Commissioners Association, told commissioners the recommended pricing for a 36‑month term was about "$4.93 per MCF," but cautioned markets have been moving and final pricing would be refreshed immediately before signature. He said the program requires quick execution to lock pricing and that constituents in a county‑run aggregation can opt out at any time with "0 termination fee." The consultant recommended naming a single, available county signatory to execute the agreement when rates are refreshed.
Commissioner questions focused on who is covered by the county program and what happens if a township or municipality previously acted on its own. The presenter said Newton Township and the village of Lordstown appeared to be pursuing separate arrangements and noted some cities (Cortland, Warren, Girard, Hubbard) were not included in the county list; the prosecutor's office said it would check the historic ballot and legal record to confirm which political subdivisions are included or excluded under the county's aggregation authority.
Prosecutor Bill Danzo told commissioners his office would review the proposed amendment language and the public‑utilities paperwork required by PUCO so the county remains compliant. He recommended designating a commissioner (or the president) to be available to execute the agreement if staff cannot be reached during the short execution window.
The consultant and staff emphasized consumer protections: mailers will be sent to participating households, customers can opt out without penalty, and the supplier will only serve residents after the county completes its required PUCO filings and material‑change notices. Commissioners discussed whether the county should seek shorter or longer contract terms; the presenter argued a longer term spreads risk and may be more protective if markets rise.
Next steps: commissioners instructed staff to finalize legal language on the amendment to the aggregation plan, confirm the list of included political subdivisions with the prosecutor and clerk, and prepare an authorization for signature to be considered at the next public meeting once the legal and PUCO paperwork is complete.
