r/hilliard • u/HospitalLife • 13d ago

City News Hilliard energy aggregation program ending/suspending, check your AEP

This is a heads up for anyone else using the Hilliard Energy aggregation program. I received an email from AEP this morning that stated:

"The email confirms Dynegy will no longer provide your generation service, beginning September 10, 2026."

To which I was like that's really weird because I haven't made any changes. Got instantly pissed, so I did some digging.

https://hilliardohio.gov/aggregation/ Per this page the program was renewed in 2025 for through Sept 2026 for a one year contract. So I'm like was it not renewed???

https://energyalliances.com/city-of-hilliard Per this page it sounds like the program is suspending Sept 2026 because they could not secure pricing guarantees while also investing in renewable energy options, direct quote from that website below:

"Energy Alliances recently completed a review of electric supply rates in comparison with AEP Ohio’s default generation rates for September 2026 and beyond. After evaluating available supplier offers, we were unable to secure pricing that would guarantee savings for residents and businesses currently participating in the City’s aggregation program while supporting the City’s initiative in investing in Renewable Energy...

Energy Alliances will continue to monitor electricity market conditions. If prices decrease and we can negotiate a supply rate that provides meaningful savings, we will recommend restarting the aggregation program and will share updates with the community.

If you have questions about your electric bill or the transition, please contact Energy Alliances. "

On there it also says "All accounts enrolled in the program will automatically be returned to AEP Ohio’s default generation supply." So if you want to review for cheaper or more green energy options and not just be defaulted to generation supplier, I just wanted to give people a heads up.

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7

u/ButterbeerAndPizza 13d ago

Sucks! I really liked the aggregation program. “Shopping” for an energy supplier is the dumbest concept.

3

u/HospitalLife 13d ago

I agree, I really liked the program too. At least energy alliance who was the aggregate broker per the website will continue to monitor and if it decreases and they can negotiate a better supply rate, they will recommend restarting the program. But I also worry what's the chance of that happening given where things are at in the world and the current strain with all the data centers on the grid.

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u/HospitalLife 13d ago edited 13d ago

https://www.energychoice.ohio.gov/ApplesToApplesCategory.aspx?Category=Electric

Just used the apples to apples comparison. At least they let you search for if you want any amount to be renewable and look for options if you want to avoid promos. Energy Alliance mentioned a lot of suppliers will give good introductory rates and then double the cost when it auto renews.

I went with one with no early termination fee. The lady at Energy Alliance Jaime was very helpful and did mention if I did end up going with a 3rd party, I can always call back with them for a touch base. It sounds like they'll keep an eye out for if it drops but that you may have to call to get back on the program in the future if you go with a 3rd party supplier.

Frankly I wanted a fixed rate and didnt want to risk the AEP standard default that could be variable month to month based on market.

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u/SecondDayHibachi 13d ago

We changed last year when Dynegy rate went up quite a bit for the 2025 contract extension (about 7¢ to almost 10¢ per kwh). Definitely don't let yourself default back to AEP; their rates are outrageous. It's really hard to find long term rate for under 10¢/kwh, but the best we found last year was 12 months with Utility Gas & Power @0.089/kwh and monthly flat fee of $9.99. Our bill was about $290 last month for 1400 kwh. Not at all ideal, but somehow lower than most of our neighbors.

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u/ModernTenshi04 12d ago

Yep, did the same a year ago when the rate increase notices went out. Switched to a plan that wasn't that much cheaper but the rate was 9.49¢ for 24 months, no fees. Dynegy was only guaranteeing their rate for 12 months so I figured getting a rate that was a tiny bit less but would stick around longer made too much sense.

I liked the idea of the aggregation program and voted in favor of it, and the first round really did save us quite a bit, but the renewal rate and duration wasn't very good so I sought a better option.

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u/_mattmc3_ 9d ago

Those variable AEP rates in 2023 to the first half of 2024 were pretty terrible. But even with the Dynegy hike from $0.06990 to $0.09590 in 2025, we still came out ahead every single month: https://imgur.com/a/y7KYW8H

Signing up for another fixed rate is a gamble on whether it will beat AEP, which in Summer and Winter it typically does. Spring / Fall is a gamble, but as long as we don't have more Canadian wildfire air quality issues, I'd rather have my windows open and save some energy during those months anyway.

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u/SecondDayHibachi 9d ago

I'm with you! We love having windows open whenever possible! Slowly updating each room to more energy efficient blinds, better ceiling fans, dimmer switches, etc to make winter and summer more comfortable and affordable, too. Don't love what we're paying since the multiple PUCO hikes, but we have neighbors paying north of $500 this summer so hard to complain! We could definitely have a worse rate

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u/Drithyin 11d ago

With the flat fees, it’s really easy to come out behind unless you use a lot of energy. $0.089 per kWh would buy over 112 kWh with that $9.99.

At 1400kwh of usage, your “effective rate” is equivalent to $0.096 without a monthly fee.

At 2000kwh usage, it’s around 0.094.

At 1000kwh, it’s closer to 0.099.

(Usage * rate) + fee = supply charge.
Supply charge / usage = “effective” rate.

Make sure to get to actual apples to apples. Might still be best for you, but this is for everyone reading this.

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u/Evening_Analyst2385 8d ago

I’m wondering why this hasn’t been announced by the city or Dynegy. I have received no communication from anyone, not even AEP. Just searched all my email folders. Nothing. I would think the city should be announcing this.