Metro area saving utility dollars, officials assert

3/30/2012

Residents in Toledo and several other Lucas County communities should "do nothing" to keep saving money on utility bills, Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken and Toledo City Council President Joe McNamara said at a news conference Thursday.

That's because most residents in Toledo, Maumee, Northwood, Oregon, Sylvania, Perrysburg Township, Holland, and Lake Township are already enrolled in the Northwest Ohio Aggregation Coalition, a pool of area communities that uses its buying power to bargain for cheaper utility rates.

Mr. Gerken and Mr. McNamara said in the last 11 years, NOAC has saved residents $63 million, or an average of $35 to $50 annually per resident. Consumers will likely be getting letters soon from their utility companies about the coalition that could be confusing, Mr. Gerken said

"Despite whatever letters you get," he said, "do nothing -- save money."

Letters from utility companies explain to consumers how they can stay in the program or opt-out.