BROOKVILLE — In a light turnout, voters May 2 approved the city’s proposal to establish a government electricity and natural gas aggregation program with opt-out provisions.

Voters overwhelmingly approved both aggregation questions that appeared on the ballot.

A total of 273 yes votes to 71 no votes were cast for the electric aggregation question.

A total of 271 yes votes to 71 no votes were cast for the gas aggregation question.

The city is partnering with the Miami Valley Communications Council, located in Centerville, on establishing an electric and natural gas aggregation.

Brookville is one of several Miami Valley cities partnering with the MVCC.

MVCC is working with Palmer Energy, of Toledo, in securing the best possible electric and natural gas rates.

Amy Hoffman, Palmer Energy customer service manager, indicated now that voters have said yes to creating an electricity and natural gas aggregation program, it will be certified through the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) and two public hearings will be held.

Hoffman said once it has been certified and the public hearings are held, Palmer Energy will obtain rates from suppliers.

Hoffman said once the rates have been established and a contract with the supplier is signed, an opt-out letter will go to every eligible resident and small business who receives their natural gas from CenterPoint Energy and their electric service from AES.

If a resident receiving a letter doesn’t don’t do anything after receiving it, the resident will be enrolled in the aggregate program.

Residents who don’t want to participate in the program can opt out by returning a form that will be provided to them.

Although residents who join the program will receive discounted electric and natural gas rates from the contracted supplier, services will still be provided by AES and CenterPoint Energy.

AES will still deliver electricity to homes and businesses. AES will also continue to read the electric meter and restore power after an outage.

CenterPoint Energy will still maintain the pipeline system that delivers the natural gas. The company will still continue to read the meter and take care of repairs and gas leaks.

Hoffman indicated it is possible Brookville can join the electric program in August.

Hoffman said it depends on when PUCO completes the certification process and when the two public hearing are held.

Hoffman noted Brookville will join the gas aggregate program when it begins in November.

Reach Terry Baver at [email protected]