By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com

Two public meetings for Bucyrus residents were held Wednesday afternoon to clear up questions about the aggregation contract between the city and AEP.

AEP Energy Director of Customer Experience Amber Ruby met with Bucyrus residents as well as with City Council President Sis Love and Service/Safety Director Jeff Wagner to discuss the upcoming aggregation contract for the city of Bucyrus through AEP Energy.

“This program allows communities to come together to save money for citizens,” Ruby said.

During the meeting Ruby explained that the program started in Bucyrus in 2013 with a 24-month agreement at 6.29 cents per kilowatt hour. The first meter reading under a new 24-month agreement begins on May 15.

Ruby did note that the price per kilowatt hour will rise slightly for the month of May to 7.279 cents per kilowatt hour from generation and transmission fees. The price will then drop to 6.32 cents per kilowatt hour when AEP Ohio takes over transmission fees.

Ruby said that more information on the program will unfold in three steps.

AEP Energy’s first step will be providing a handout to the city of Bucyrus later in April to help explain the way the May, June, and July bills will be set up.

The next step in the project AEP Energy will produce a video for to link to the website to help explain the aggregation further.

The final step will be a document sent to all AEP Energy customers to explain the energy transmission change. Ruby noted that those who opt out but stay with AEP Energy would be charged 8.086 cents per kilowatt hour.

During the meeting it was revealed that residents who use AEP Energy will automatically enrolled into the program unless they opt-out, with the opt-out period ending on Saturday, April 18.

Ruby noted that the price to compare only shows generation and transmission, but other rates could rise.

Sis Love explained that residents could check out PUCO’s Apples to Apples Web site to try finding a better rate, but to make sure to read the fine print and beware of a termination fee.

The aggregation program is available to all residents and small businesses that stay under 700,000 Kilowatts per hour.

For more information residents can call 844-842-3368.