City Announces Columbus Energy Review Committee
For Immediate Release
April 10, 2014
For More Information:
Dan Williamson, Mayor’s Office, 645-5300
John Ivanic, City Council, 645-6798
Mayor Michael B. Coleman and City Council President Andrew
J. Ginther today announced the formation of a 6-member citizen advisory group
to provide guidance and recommendations regarding energy aggregation. The
Columbus Energy Review Committee will determine whether the City of Columbus
should create a local buying group for natural gas and electricity. The committee
will hold public meetings to learn from nearby communities who have engaged in
energy aggregation about the benefits, expectations, and experiences.
The Columbus Energy Review Committee will be chaired by Mark
R. Shanahan, principal of New Morning Energy, and will include representatives
from the energy industry, environmental community, neighborhoods and faith
community. The committee is asked to provide a recommendation to Mayor Coleman
and President Ginther as to whether the energy aggregation option should be
posed to the voters of Columbus.
“I am excited to be part of the effort to identify the best
options for Columbus energy consumers,” Shanahan said. “It's a critical part of
the Get Green Columbus initiative.”
Consumers have the option of joining an aggregator group
that purchases electricity or natural gas for its members from a single supplier. A large aggregator group may be able to get a
better price for the group members than individuals could get on their own.
This buying power may also allow aggregators to negotiate for additional
benefits for its members such as consolidated billing, energy management
services and energy use analysis.
Aggregator groups may be formed by existing organizations,
or new groups may be formed solely for the purpose of buying electricity or
natural gas for their members. Ohio law allows for local government aggregation
by cities, townships or counties, through a vote of their citizens with opt-in
or opt-out provisions for their consumers. All aggregators must be certified by
the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to make sure they are qualified to provide
electricity or natural gas in Ohio.
The Columbus Energy Review Committee will include:
- Regina Clemons, director of emergency assistance, Impact
Community Action Agency
- Aparna Dial, director, Energy Services and Sustainability,
Ohio State University
- Cindy Farson, director, Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging
- Tyrone Lawes, pastor, New Hope Baptist Church
- Cheryl Roberto, associate VP, Environmental Defense Fund,
former Columbus Public Utilities director
-
Jim Sweeney, executive Director, Franklinton
Development Association