*Updated 02/06/2024
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We are very pleased to announce that the City of Cleveland finalized the roll-out of the Community Choice Electricity Aggregation to eligible residents and small commercial businesses, starting in August 2023, thanks to City Council’s timely legislative approvals and work by our program partner Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council - SOPEC.
Through our group buying power with selected aggregator SOPEC, the city administration was able to secure a very competitive default ‘opt-out’ 1 year fixed rate of 6.302 cents/kWh for the electricity supply, backed by 100% Green-e certified Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). This price will save the average residential electricity account approximately $200 over the next year, compared to the Illuminating Company’s default electricity supply rates (9.8 cent/kWh).
Eligible Cleveland residents received program letters from SOPEC that outline the community choice aggregation program, including step-down and opt-out pathways. For questions related to the program, contact SOPEC at 1-888-733-8512.
What is Community Choice Aggregation?
Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) is the opportunity for the City to provide residents with an alternative "choice" to the default electricity supplier that the utility company uses. CCA programs are not mandatory, residents can opt-out if they wish. This is an optional service that the City provides to its residents, and this is how it works:
Electricity utility bills have two parts:
- A usage fee to move electricity through its wires and;
- A supply fee for the actual flow of electricity through its wires.
In Ohio, everyone has the option to shop for their own supply
- CCA programs allow for the City to combine or “aggregate” the electricity supply for residential and small businesses into one bulk amount. This is then used to carefully select an alternative choice to the default electricity supplier that the utility company uses.
- The benefit of combining (or aggregating) into a bulk amount is that this method is more likely to provide a better electricity product at a more stable price than residents could achieve on their own.
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I am a Cleveland Public Power (CPP) customer, do I need to do anything?
No, CPP customers are NOT affected by this change and no action is required.
I am a FirstEnergy/Illuminating Company customer, how do I enroll?
No action is required, all eligible customers will be automatically enrolled in the new program.
How do I know if I am eligible to participate in the new program?
All customers are automatically eligible, however, there are two exceptions:
- Customers enrolled in PIPP are not affected by rate increases, as their bills are based on household income and consistent year-round.
- Customers that are currently contracted with an independent energy supplier will not be automatically enrolled to participate.
Can I still participate if I am already contracted with another energy supplier?
You may be able to withdraw from your current supplier with an early or no termination fee, but please check with your supplier directly. Once your contract ends and if you match the program's eligibility criteria you will be automatically enrolled in the City's new program. This website will have additional information in July about possible "opt-in" options through the City's community choice aggregation program.
What do I do if I receive solicitations (door knocks, phone calls, etc...) from independent energy suppliers?
We advise you to NOT sign anything, write down the representative's name, company information, and immediately contact PUCO at (800) 686-7876. These companies are not apart of the City's community choice aggregation program and could lock you into an unreasonable contract.
If the PUCO does confirm an electricity supplier is certified, and you do not want to wait to be automatically enrolled in the City of Cleveland aggregation program, we strongly recommend that you ask a number of questions of any electricity supplier you talk to:
- Are you offering a fixed rate electricity supply contract to me?
- What is that fixed rate price?
- How long will that fixed rate last? 1 month? 6 months? A year? What happens to my price after that?
- If I agree to a contract with you, can I end that contract without an early termination fee or other fees to join my city’s community choice aggregation program at a later date?
I don't want to wait, what do I do?
If residents prefer not to be automatically enrolled into the city's program, they can visit the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) Apples to Apples electricity comparison webpage or call 800-686-7826 for more information on finding their own supplier. Other questions to ask are listed on the PUCO website - https://puco.ohio.gov/utilities/electricity/resources/choosing-an-electric-supplier