Lima continues electric aggregation program with new supplier, higher rate

LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) - The City of Lima will continue its electric aggregation program after negotiating a new rate.

After consulting with Trebel Energy, the city will utilize Archer Energy as the aggregation program's new supplier. Under the new agreement, residents will pay a fixed rate of 0.0945 cents per kilowatt-hour through May 2026. According to Meri Foster, the City of Lima’s Director of Finance, that represents about a 20% increase for consumers currently enrolled in the program. Following Monday night’s city council meeting, Foster shared when the change will take place and outlined the choices available to residents.

“The end of the contract with our aggregation program ends with the May billing. Beginning the June billing will be the new contract, and it stays the same. I mean, basically, you won't see a difference except for the rate is changing for the supply. If you want to stay in the program, there's nothing that needs to be done. You will just automatically stay in the program. If you want to opt out, you can certainly do so if you want to go back to AEP, or if you want to switch to a different supplier, you certainly can. You can do so at no cost. There's no early termination fees. You can do it at any time,” explains Meri Foster, Director of Finance, City of Lima.

Residents may opt out by contacting Archer Energy directly or by completing the opt-out form that will be sent by mail.

In other business, Council approved the purchase of a $1.2 million Rosenbauer custom pumper for the Lima Fire Department. The new vehicle will replace the department’s 2012 Sutphen pumper.

The council also accepted a donation from the 9/11 Memorial Foundation. The donation includes artifacts from all three sites affected during the events of Sept. 11, 2001. The artifacts will be displayed in the southeast corner of the Greater Lima Region Park and Amphitheater as a space of remembrance.