Fostoria council hears about energy aggregation

FOSTORIA — Fostoria City Council hosted its regular meeting Tuesday evening, where members of the council listened to representative Jay Sell of Aspen Energy discuss energy aggregation. "I know recently that you (the city of Fostoria) have exited NOPEC for the electricity aggregation," Sell said. "We have experience in aggregation in the state of Ohio, specifically with assisting the city of Shaker Heights in exiting NOPEC and running their own aggregation program." In November 2022, Fostoria City Council approved an ordinance to authorize the mayor or Director of Public Service and Safety to terminate the Plan of Operation and Governance of the NOPEC Electricity Aggregation Program and to leave the program. Sell explained that Aspen Energy, which formed in 2000, helps with steps to complete energy aggregation. "Basically there's a process that you all would need to go through if you decided to continue doing aggregation on your own through the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio," Sell told council. "We're really aware of what you would need to do to take certain steps to be your own aggregator, rather than being under NOPEC's umbrella." Sell said local individuals are paying a lot of money for electricity in Fostoria currently, and he believed that his company could help. "This program really just gives people choice," he said. "We know what it takes having left NOPEC to set up your own program, go through the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio's steps that you need to take, and then walk along with you through all those steps." Other business Although there were no ordinances or resolutions passed during this meeting, two new ordinances were introduced regarding fencing and regulations for keeping chickens within the city. Regulations have been presented as an amendment, which includes the following: No more than six chickens are permitted. Roosters are prohibited. Chickens may only be kept or harbored in a backyard. Chickens shall be kept in an enclosure or fenced area, such as a coop or run, at all times. Fencing requirements also have been addressed and amended by adding regulations to Section 1125.04, of Chapter 505 of the city's Codified Ordinances. On another matter, during the meeting, Councilperson Amy Mendoza announced the council's Public Affairs Committee will hold a voter registration event on Sept. 10 from noon-5 p.m., at the UAW Union Hall, 1675 N. Union St. Volunteers will be available to help community members register to vote through paper or electronic forms. Mendoza said this is an attempt to increase the number of registered voters in Fostoria, as well as improve voter turnout. "Please encourage anybody that you may know that can benefit from this event to attend," she said. The next Fostoria City Council meeting will be 6 p.m. Aug. 15 in council chambers.