Hilliard's electric aggregation program, which saved enrolled residents nearly $1.6 million since April 2025, will expire in September.

The city announced Aug. 31 that it could not secure a new supplier contract offering competitive rates for renewable electricity. Enrolled customers will automatically return to AEP Ohio's default generation supply starting with their October electric bills. No action is required.

"We are proud of the savings the program has provided, but we also want to make sure that any future aggregation contract offers residents a competitive rate," Assistant City Manager Dan Ralley said in the announcement. "We will continue to monitor the market and will consider restarting the program if conditions become more favorable."

Hilliard voters approved the green aggregation program in 2022. City Council then approved a contract with Dynegy Energy Services in 2023 to serve as the provider.

The program pooled the city's purchasing power to negotiate a lower rate for sustainably sourced electricity on behalf of participating residents, businesses and organizations. Electricity under the program could come from renewable resources such as wind and solar, or through the purchase of renewable energy certificates that support renewable generation elsewhere. The city did not disclose how many households and businesses were enrolled.

In 2025, the city secured a 12-month contract with Dynegy at 9.59 cents per kilowatt-hour. AEP Ohio's standard market rate at the time was 10.52 cents per kilowatt-hour. That gap produced the nearly $1.6 million in collective savings.

This time around, the city evaluated new supplier offers but found none that beat standard market rates while also meeting its renewable energy commitment. Rather than lock residents into a contract that might not save them money, the city chose to let the agreement expire.

Enrolled residents will receive letters notifying them the program is ending. Residents who want to shop for a different electricity supplier can compare certified retail electric offers through the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) at EnergyChoice.Ohio.gov.

The city said it will keep monitoring electricity prices and supplier offers but has not set a timeline for reconsidering the program.