Council schedules July 2 public hearing on natural‑gas aggregation ballot question

The London City Council voted to send a proposed natural‑gas aggregation measure to the ballot and scheduled a public hearing for July 2.

Councilwoman Shannon Trainer described Ordinance 140‑26, which authorizes actions necessary to form a governmental natural‑gas aggregation program using an opt‑out process under Ohio Revised Code section 4929.26 and directs the Madison County Board of Elections to place the measure before city voters. Trainer said the city previously ran an electricity aggregation program and that the proposed process would mirror that model for natural gas, preserving an opt‑out for residents who do not wish to participate.

The ordinance does not itself change residents’ service providers; it only seeks voter authorization to allow the city to negotiate a bulk natural‑gas purchasing arrangement that could yield different rates. Trainer told council the proposal will go to a public hearing on July 2; residents will have the opportunity to weigh in at that hearing before any final action.

Next steps: the city will publish hearing notices and provide public outreach information explaining the opt‑out process and how participation would be voluntary for residents who wish to keep their current supplier.