The Sunbury City Council meeting on February 19, 2025, focused on the city's electric aggregation program, which aims to secure lower electric rates for residents. The current aggregation rate stands at approximately 6.5 cents per kilowatt hour, but rising electric rates have raised concerns among council members. Recent discussions revealed that rates have increased from 8.5 cents to nearly 9 cents, prompting the council to consider a refresh with their energy broker.

The council plans to authorize the administrator to proceed with this refresh, contingent on the rate remaining below 9.5 cents. If successful, residents could see around a 10% savings on their electric bills through the aggregation program. However, residents retain the option to opt out and seek better rates independently.

During the meeting, council members acknowledged the volatility of electric rates, noting that they are likely to increase over time. A significant portion of electric bills, approximately 15-20%, is attributed to capacity charges, which are unavoidable costs associated with maintaining the grid during peak demand.

The council expressed urgency in finalizing the new rate, with expectations that a refresh could be completed as soon as the following day. This proactive approach aims to secure the best possible rates for Sunbury residents amidst fluctuating market conditions.