FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Clinton County Natural Gas Aggregation Question to Appear on Ballot for Unincorporated Areas

CLINTON COUNTY, OH — Voters in the unincorporated areas of Clinton County will have the opportunity to vote on a natural gas aggregation measure designed to give the county and its townships the ability to use their collective purchasing power when seeking natural gas pricing and services for eligible customers.

The ballot question applies only to voters located in the unincorporated areas of Clinton County. It does not apply to residents of incorporated municipalities within the county.

The aggregation would allow participating governmental entities to combine eligible customers' natural gas purchasing demand. By bringing customers together as a larger purchasing group, the county and townships could seek competitive pricing and contract terms from natural gas suppliers rather than having each eligible customer negotiate individually.

This approach is similar to the electric aggregation currently in place in Clinton County, where townships and municipalities combine customer demand and work with suppliers to obtain competitive electricity pricing and terms. 

What the Ballot Question Does

A vote in favor of the measure would provide the Clinton County Commissioners with the authority to establish the natural gas aggregation program for eligible customers in the unincorporated areas of the county.

The program would be an opt-out aggregation, meaning eligible customers would be automatically included unless they choose not to participate. Before enrollment, customers will receive an opt-out letter from the supplier explaining the aggregation, including the applicable price, terms and conditions, and the process for opting out. Ohio's natural-gas aggregation rules also provide customers with an opportunity to opt out without penalty. 

The proposed aggregation does not prevent an eligible customer from choosing another natural gas supplier. 

Clinton County encourages voters in the unincorporated areas of the county to review the ballot language and the information provided about the proposed aggregation before voting. Please see the ballot language below…

“Shall the Commissioners of the Clinton County have the authority to aggregate the retail natural gas customers located in the unincorporated areas of Clinton County, and for that purpose, enter into services agreements to facilitate for those customers the sale and purchase of natural gas, conversion to the aggregation program will occur automatically unless the customers choose to opt out of the program.”