Public Hearings: SOPEC Plan of Operation & Governance for the Electric Aggregation Program
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The City of Cleveland's City Council will held two (2) separate Public Hearings on the Plan of Operations and Governance (POG) for the upcoming Electric Aggregation Program for the City of Cleveland on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 5:00pm and Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 4pm.
The meetings were held in-person, live-streamed to Sustainable Cleveland's YouTube page, and broadcast to the TV20 Channel. The general public was welcome to join in-person or virtually. Time for public questions was allowed at the bottom of the agenda. Submitted public questions were received by attending the in-person meeting, attending the Webex or completing the online form in advance.
Summary of Discussion
The City of Cleveland is considering becoming a member of the Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council (SOPEC), a regional council of governments under Chapter 167 of the Ohio Rev. Code. SOPEC provides energy services to member communities, political subdivisions, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and public agencies. In preparation for taking this action, the City of Cleveland will be holding the two (2) Public Hearings referenced above to permit comments and questions regarding the SOPEC Electric Aggregation Program Plan of Operation and Governance.
The SOPEC Electric Aggregation Program Plan of Operation and Governance describes the policies and procedures by which the government aggregation program will be carried out for electricity for eligible Cleveland residents and small commercial customers, including those policies and procedures related to rates and customer service. The SOPEC Electric Aggregation Program Plan of Operation and Governance addresses the following topics regarding the Electric Aggregation Program: (I) Introduction; (II) Description and Objectives of the Aggregation Program: Endorsement Program; (III) Goals of the Aggregation Program; (IV) Rates; (V) Steps for Communities during the Aggregation Program; (VI) Participation in the Aggregation Program: Endorsement Program; (VII) Notification of Opt-Out Aggregation Program Customers; (VIII) The City of Athens, Ohio Carbon Fee; (IX) Customer Service; (X) Customer Protections; (XI) Customer Complaints; (XII) Termination of Participation in the Opt-Out Aggregation Program; (XIII) Termination of Participation in the Opt-In Aggregation Program; (XIV) Organizational Structure and Organizational Structure Chart; (XV) Certification; (XVI) Aggregation Program Funding; and (XVII) Modification of the SOPEC’s Plan.
Copies of the Electric Aggregation Program Plan of Operation and Governance may be obtained at Cleveland City Hall, 1st floor- outside the Cleveland Public Library extension, as well as at the Circulation Desk (Vital Statistics), between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday.
View the SOPEC Plan of Operation & Governance
*Updated 06/06/2023
The City of Cleveland's Community Choice Aggregation is Here for a Second Year!
ENROLL NOW
CALL 1-888-733-8512
*Updated 08/29/2024
Through collaboration with Cleveland City Council, SOPEC (Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council) will continue to provide the Electric Aggregation Program for the City of Cleveland. Cleveland customers in FirstEnergy/Illuminating Company utility territory can enjoy a competitive fixed rate of 6.762 cents/kWh for electricity supply backed by 100% renewable energy for a 12-month term (August 2024 through July 2025).
In the program's first year, SOPEC was able to secure a very competitive default fixed rate for the electricity supply, backed by 100% Green-e certified Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). The first year of the program has saved Cleveland residents and small businesses over $12M or approximately $250 per enrolled account when compared to the default utility supply rate or Standard Service Offer (SSO).
For the second year of the program, eligible residents and small businesses in the City of Cleveland can enjoy a competitive fixed rate of 6.762 cents ($0.06762) per kWh of electricity supply backed by 100% renewable energy for a 12-month term beginning with their August 2024 meter read. This program continues to offer significant benefits to Cleveland residents compared to the current utility supply rate of 9.45 cent/kWh.
Eligible Cleveland residents and small businesses will receive 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.
Want to learn more about the electricity aggregation program? SOPEC staff will be attending the following events:
*There are currently no dates, please check back at a later time.
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I am a Cleveland Public Power (CPP) customer, do I need to do anything?
No, CPP customers are NOT eligible for this program 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 program. If you are currently contracted with an independent energy supplier, you were not automatically enrolled, but you are eligible and can call 1-888-733-8512 to enroll.
How do I know if I am eligible to participate in the new program?
Cleveland customers in FirstEnergy / Illuminating Company utility territory 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. These customers are eligible and can call 1-888-733-8512 to enroll.
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 electricity aggregation program. There is no cost to enroll in the program and there are no fees to leave the SOPEC program. If you are unsure of your status, please call 1-888-733-8512.
What do I do if I receive solicitations (door knocks, phone calls, etc...) from independent energy suppliers?
We advise that you NOT to 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 join the City of Cleveland's 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?
What are my other options?
If you choose to opt-out, you will default to the utility’s Price to Compare (9.45 cents per kWh as of June 2024; rate varies throughout the year). 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