It was 2001 when Akron voters first approved a City of Akron aggregation program for electricity rates. The program was suspended, however, December 31, 2008 because State of Ohio electric regulations no longer supported or permitted aggregation, and all aggregation programs in Ohio were suspended. New State of Ohio electric regulations allow Akron to resume the program beginning this July and through May of 2012.

Electric aggregation is the process by which individual energy users band together in an alliance to secure more competitive prices than they might otherwise receive working independently. 

"This is something we have been anxious to again offer our citizens," said Mayor Don Plusquellic. "With this new agreement, we are able to resume the cost savings at a critical time for homeowners and small businesses."

The plan is being managed by FirstEnergy Solutions of Akron and includes a 6% discount for residential customers and 4% for small business customers. The savings, per customer, would average about $100 for residential users and $500 for commercial customers over the life of the program.

Citizens will receive information and an opportunity to opt out of the program within the next month. The information will be similar to what citizens received in previous enrollment periods in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008

Citizens who do not respond to the letter are automatically enrolled in the electric aggregation program; there is no cost to participate and no fee charged for switching to the plan from a customer’s current electric company.

Anyone with questions on the electric aggregation program may call FirstEnergy Solutions at 1-888-254- 6981 or Akron’s 3-1-1 Call Center by simply pressing 3-1-1 on any residential phone in the city of Akron, or by calling (330)-375-2311 from any other telephone.