Be informed about your electric bills

FirstEnergy Corp. recently published a press release notifying customers to "…evaluate electric supply offers from competitive suppliers that fit their budget and protect against rising energy prices this summer." The press release goes on to say, "Due to the results of recent competitive auctions, FirstEnergy customers who rely on their electric company for all aspects of service are expected to see an increase in the price they pay for electric generation beginning June 1." If you are like me, you are struggling to make practical sense of what FirstEnergy is trying to tell me. So let me do my best to explain it simply. If you are one of many people who do not shop around to find the best price for electricity, by default, you will buy your electricity through Ohio Edison. The cost will be whatever the price is for the standard service offer. As of June 1, the FirstEnergy press release announces that the cost per kilowatt hour will be 12.39 cents. Things always make sense when you have something to compare to, so let's compare the 12.39 cents/kilowatt hour to the cost of purchasing your electricity from the city of Sandusky's aggregation program. If you live in the city limits of Sandusky, you can take advantage of the price is 4.650 cents/kilowatt hour by calling Dynergy at 1-888-682-2170. For more information, go to the city's at dynegy.com/municipal- aggregation/communities-we-serve/ohio/sandusky-city. If you don't live in the city of Sandusky but live in a township within Erie County, you can sign up for Erie County's aggregation program, which is also with Dynergy. The county's price is very similar, 4.55 cents/kilowatt hour. As of this week, I was unable to determine if Bayview and Castalia have an aggregation agreement for electricity. Those who live in the village of Milan, residents are advised to call the village administrator, Brian Rospert at 419-499-4161, ext. 3 for more information. The city of Huron has an aggregation rate of 6.82 cents/kilowatt hour, which is effective July 1. The city of Vermilion is encouraging residents to shop electric prices, via the internet, on the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio's apples-to-apples comparison chart for electricity. If you are age 60 or older and a resident of Erie County, we invite you to call Serving Our Seniors, 419-624-1856, and ask a senior advocate assistant to help you find the best electric rate using the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio's apples-to-apples comparison chart for residential electric customers. Mark your calendar and attend the Serving Our Seniors public forum, entitled "Understanding the Ohio Edison Rates Increase Effective on June 1, 2023". It's scheduled from 2-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 23. It will be at the Erie County Office Building, third Floor, 247 Columbus Ave., in downtown Sandusky. The speaker is Amy Carles, senior outreach and education specialist for the Ohio Consumer's Counsel. The counsel is an advocate for consumers of regulated utilities. Amy will show you the other businesses selling electricity and how to compare electric prices without getting schnookered. All residents, ages 60+, are welcome. Contact Serving Our Seniors at 419-624-1856 or mail@servingourseniors.org leave your name, the name of this event and your phone number. If the forum is canceled for any reason, you will be notified by phone. Seating is limited to 70. Q&A Q: I need hearing aids, but I can't afford them. Who can help me? A: Miracle Ear is celebrating Better Hearing Month. The Miracle Ear Foundation is accepting applications for those who need but cannot afford hearing aids. Normally there is a $150 fee to apply for free hearing aids. This fee is being waived in the month of May. Those who qualify will receive free hearing aids. For more information, call or visit Miracle Ear at 4920 Milan Road (U.S. 250), Sandusky or call 419-624-0336.