Several spring and summer events have been scheduled and many of them are new. Saturday, May 20 will be our First Annual Family Catch & Release Fishing Tournament at Clepper Park. Registration begins at 9:00 AM and the tournament begins at 10 AM.
That same afternoon will feature a Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative, “Lightening Up” from 4 PM to 6 PM behind the UT Civic Center. Our first summer concert will be May 27 featuring Bluewater Kings Band at 7 PM. It will also be behind the UT Civic Center.
Additional events throughout the summer will include “movie nights” at various locations, more concerts, and a pickleball tournament. The Farmers Market will start June 9 from 4 PM to 7 PM. National Night Out will be August 3. Look for the end-of-summer fireworks on August 26 and the Mt. Moriah Lantern Lighting on September 16.
The above are just a few examples. You can find more information on our (soon to be) new website at www.Union-Township.oh.us.
What is energy aggregation?
Per a vote of the people in 2015, Union Township is authorized to offer an opt-out aggregation price for the generation portion of customer’s gas and electric bills. Details are below and here: https://energyalliances.com/union-township-clermont-co
All Duke Energy customer’s electric utility bills consist of two components. One component is the energy production commodity with multiple competitors. It is typically called “generation” or “supply.” The other component is typically called “distribution,” transmission,” or “delivery.” It includes billing, line maintenance, and repair. That fee is non-negotiable and set by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). Duke Energy is always our energy distributor and could also be the supplier.
The aggregation program approved by the voters requires that customers who are using Duke as their supplier must opt out to keep Duke as their supplier. Otherwise, they will be switched to the electric aggregation supplier (Energy Harbor) beginning in June 2023.
Effective June 1, Duke’s rate will be 10.17¢/kWh. In contrast, Union Township’s aggregation rate is 6.51¢/kWh. That rate is fixed for 24 months with no additional monthly fees or early termination fee. If you previously opted out and changed your mind, just call 566-636-3749 and have your account information handy. You’ll be able to opt-in to the 6.51¢/kWh rate.
Like a “do not call list” PUCO offers an “electric do not aggregate list” for Ohio electric utility customers that desire to remove themselves from the pool of customers eligible to participate in an electric aggregation program. To do so, call (800) 686-PUCO (7826). More information is here: https://puco.ohio.gov/utilities/electricity/resources/electric-do-not-aggregate-list. Customers are encouraged to periodically shop their rates at https://www.energychoice.ohio.gov.
Like electric, all Duke Energy customer’s gas utility bills consists of two components. One component is the energy production commodity with multiple competitors. It is typically called “gas cost recovery (GCR)” or “supply.” The other component is typically called “distribution,” transmission,” or “delivery.” It includes billing, pipeline maintenance, and repair. That fee is non-negotiable and set by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). Duke Energy is always our energy distributor and could also be the supplier.
Per a vote of the people in 2015, Union Township is offering an aggregation price for the generation (GCR) portion of customer’s bills. Duke’s generation rate is variable month-to-month and its May rate (53.32¢/ccf) is now substantially below the offered aggregation rate (83.9¢/ccf) through AEP. (However, it was a competitive rate at the time it was first offered.) The aggregation rate is fixed through October 2024 with no monthly fees or early termination penalty. Customers are encouraged to periodically shop their rates at https://www.energychoice.ohio.gov.
A final word on these aggregation programs: Union Township does not benefit in any way from aggregation. It is strictly a service offered to our people. Some love it. Some hate it. But it’s your choice.
A lot of good things have been happening in our business community. For example, the blighted Wendy’s has been removed from the corner of SR 125 and Nine Mile Road and a Take Five Oil Change is building on that lot. Additionally, the old triplex that housed a video store and a Starbucks near Meijer’s is now gone. An Outback Steakhouse will be built there.
I’m also excited to announce that Children’s Hospital has submitted plans to build a facility in the Ivy Pointe area north of TQL. Construction is expected to begin in the fall.
The Union Township Board of Trustees meets the second Tuesday of every month at 6 PM. Additionally, we hold “work sessions” on the fourth Tuesday of the even-numbered months at 6:00 PM. The meeting videos as well as our event calendars are on-line.
Joe Dills, Michael Logue, and I are accessible and approachable. That is also true of Fiscal Officer Ron Campbell, Administrator Susan Ayers, and our staff. If you need anything or just want to chat, call me at home at 513-753-6440. Or call 513-752-1741 to speak with any staff member at the Civic Center.
John Becker has been a Union Township Trustee since January 1, 2022. He previously served as a State Representative from 2013 – 2020 until forced out by term limits.