CALCUTTA — St. Clair Township trustees were adamant that they did their due diligence before renewing the township’s electric aggregation plan with Dynegy for a rate of 9.33 cents per kilowatt hour (KWh).

During Tuesday’s meeting, they unanimously approved the new rate, which was an increase of almost three cents per kWh.

This new agreement, which is in place for 29 months, is the longest term that trustees could secure from Dynegy.

Current customers who are using Dynegy do nothing to receive this new rate, which is less than what companies like Ohio Edison and American Electric Power are charging area customers. For example, the current rate from AEP is 10 cents per kWh and it continues increasing.

Bob Swickard, who chairs the board of trustees, noted rates had gone up about one penny per kWh since last week.

Township residents had been paying a fixed 6.556 per kWh through their current electric aggregation agreement, which expires at the end of December 2025, according to Dynegy’s website.

Dynegy appears on participants’ bills as a supply line item.

Households wishing to opt out should contact Dynegy at 888- 682-2170 and then to permanently opt out of all electric aggregations visit: https://puco.ohio.gov/utilities/electricity/resources/electric-do-not-aggregate-list.

In other action, trustees approved setting the speed limits on Sidehill and Melbourne to 25 mph, as recommended after the completion of speed studies on the locations. The previous speed was 55 mph on the roads.

Specifically, the speed change applies to both Sidehill between Cannons Mill and East Liverpool roads as well as Melbourne from state Route 267 to the dead end.

The board also agreed to pay $92,683.50 for bills as well as approve 40 hours of vacation pay for both road foreman Scott Barrett and police sergeant Scott Mick in lieu of their taking the time off.

Calcutta Fire Chief Dave McCoy also reminded township residents and business owners to update their key holder information on file with the department on its non-emergency line 330-386-5311 or 330-385-1234.

St. Clair Township trustees next meet at 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19 in the small conference room of the township administration building.