Hubbard Township Fights to Remain in Trumbull's Aggregation Program

Township officials say they never voted to leave the county's natural gas aggregation program.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 4:09am

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An abstract composition of overlapping triangles and rectangles in shades of blue, green, and orange, conceptually representing the interlocking elements of a community energy aggregation program.A community energy program's geometric visual representation reflects the complex negotiations between local government and residents.Warren Today

Hubbard Township Trustee Jason Tedrow accused the Trumbull County Commissioners of wrongly removing the township from the county's new natural gas aggregation program with Palmer Energy. Tedrow said the township never took an official vote to leave the county's program and that the email from Buckeye Energy's CEO stating Hubbard was pursuing an alternative program did not give him authority to speak on the township's behalf.

Why it matters

Remaining in the county's aggregation program is crucial for Hubbard Township residents to avoid potentially higher natural gas rates. The commissioners are now working to add Hubbard back into the county's program after the apparent miscommunication.

The details

Earlier this year, Trumbull County voted to join Palmer Energy as its new gas aggregation provider, replacing the previous Buckeye Energy program. However, Commissioner Denny Malloy said the county received an email from Buckeye Energy CEO Tom Bellish stating that Hubbard Township, along with several other communities, were pursuing an alternative program with Buckeye. Tedrow disputed this, saying the township was only gathering information on options and never took an official vote to leave the county's program.

  • On January 6, the county received an email from Buckeye Energy CEO Tom Bellish stating Hubbard Township was pursuing a natural gas program with his company.
  • On January 13, the Hubbard Township Trustees discussed Bellish's presentation about alternative options, but Tedrow said they were not officially pursuing anything.

The players

Jason Tedrow

Hubbard Township Trustee who accused the county commissioners of wrongly removing the township from the county's natural gas aggregation program.

Denny Malloy

Trumbull County Commissioner who said the county received an email from Buckeye Energy stating Hubbard Township was pursuing an alternative program.

Tom Bellish

CEO of Buckeye Energy, the previous aggregation provider for Trumbull County before it switched to Palmer Energy.

Monica Baker

Hubbard Township Trustee who Commissioner Malloy said told him the township wanted to stick with Buckeye Energy.

Tony Bernard

Trumbull County Commissioner who agreed the commissioners are working to correct the situation and add Hubbard Township back into the county's aggregation program.

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What they’re saying

“The email states on the top of it that these communities are either signed on or are pursuing. Pursuing, immediately states, that he has no legal authority to speak on anyone's behalf.”

— Jason Tedrow, Hubbard Township Trustee

“As of today, he is still your broker. I had three conversations with Trustee [Monica] Baker, where she said the guys want to stick with Buckeye.”

— Denny Malloy, Trumbull County Commissioner

What’s next

The Trumbull County Commissioners are working to add Hubbard Township back into the county's natural gas aggregation program with Palmer Energy to ensure residents do not face potentially higher rates.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the importance of clear communication and official votes when making decisions about community energy programs. The commissioners are now working to rectify the apparent miscommunication and keep Hubbard Township residents in the county's aggregation to avoid higher costs.