Umair Gaines
The Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) is a nonprofit energy aggregator and the default electricity and natural gas supplier for communities in Greater Cleveland. Citizens voted to join NOPEC to increase their buying power and benefit from lower rates. However, NOPEC customers have been trying to opt out of the service due to high electric bills. NOPEC's standard price is currently higher than the default pricing available through other suppliers. Customers can opt out of NOPEC by filling out a form or calling the NOPEC Customer Care Center.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Opt-out methods | Filling out a form in the letter received and mailing it back, faxing it to 440-774-4422, calling NOPEC's Customer Care Center at 1-855-667-3201, or calling the aggregation |
| Opt-out deadline | December 13 |
| Opt-out frequency | Every two to three years |
| Reasons for opting out | High electric bills, automatically opted into the program |
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What You'll Learn
NOPEC's electricity rates are high
NOPEC, the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council, is a nonprofit energy aggregator and the default electricity supplier for much of Northeast Ohio. In August 2022, NOPEC's standard program price was much higher than the default pricing available through other suppliers, leading to high electric bills for its customers.
NOPEC's standard price was 12 cents per kilowatt-hour, while other suppliers offered rates as low as 6.7 cents per kilowatt-hour. As a result, NOPEC decided to temporarily move nearly all of its more than 500,000 customers to their utility's default supplier to save them money. NOPEC's electricity rates were higher due to skyrocketing energy costs, which made it difficult for the company to negotiate lower rates for its consumers.
Many customers were shocked when they received their electric bills and realized they had been automatically opted into the program. Some customers' bills doubled, causing them stress and leading them to opt out of NOPEC's service. Customers can opt out of NOPEC by filling out the form within the letter they received and mailing it back, or by calling NOPEC's Customer Care Center. It will take one to two billing cycles for the change to take effect.
NOPEC has stated that customers can opt out and return later when prices go down. The company also encourages residents to research pricing and contracts before making a decision, especially as energy prices fluctuate over time.
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Customers are automatically opted in
Customers of NOPEC, the default electricity supplier for much of Northeast Ohio, have reported being surprised by high electric bills. Many didn't realize they had been automatically opted into the program and that they would need to opt out to leave.
NOPEC has said that its electric rates are higher than competitors' because of skyrocketing energy costs, and that customers are free to opt out and return when prices go down. The company has also stated that, per Ohio law, all electric customers should receive a letter every three years notifying them that they are included in their community's aggregation and that they can choose not to be re-enrolled.
If you have been automatically enrolled as a NOPEC customer, you can opt out by filling out the form within the letter you received and mailing it back, or faxing it to 440-774-4422. Opt-out requests can also be submitted by calling NOPEC’s Customer Care Center at 1-855-667-3201.
It's important to note that opting out of NOPEC may not immediately result in lower energy bills, as it can take one to two billing cycles for the change to be made. Additionally, NOPEC has stated that energy prices are expected to drop in the spring, at which point they plan to re-enroll customers who had opted out.
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Customers can opt out by calling
Customers can opt out of NOPEC's electricity supply services by calling the NOPEC Customer Care Center at 1-855-667-3201. This is the nonprofit’s customer care line, and customers can call this number to opt out of the aggregation program.
NOPEC, or the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council, is a nonprofit energy aggregator and the default electricity and natural gas supplier for many communities in Greater Cleveland, Ohio. Citizens of these communities have voted to join together to increase their buying power. In such cases, all residents of a NOPEC community are automatically enrolled as customers unless they choose to opt out.
The opt-out method requires voter approval and is the most common form of governmental aggregation in Ohio. Residents have the option to fill out and mail a form or fax it to 440-774-4422. However, calling the customer care line is a more convenient option for many customers.
It is important to note that it may take one to two billing cycles for the opt-out change to be made. Additionally, NOPEC customers can opt out and later return when prices go down. Energy prices are expected to drop in the spring, and NOPEC will re-enroll its customers at that time.
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Refunds are possible after opting out
If you are a resident of Ohio, there is a chance you have been automatically opted into taking on the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) as your natural gas provider. NOPEC is a nonprofit energy aggregator and the default natural gas supplier for many communities in Greater Cleveland, where citizens have voted to join together to increase their buying power.
If you have been automatically opted into NOPEC, you can opt out by filling out the form within the letter you received and mailing it back or faxing it to the number provided. Opt-out requests can also be submitted by calling NOPEC’s Customer Care Center.
Now, coming to the refunds part, yes, refunds are possible after opting out of NOPEC. If you have been overcharged, you can fight to get your money back. You can request an extensive audit of your account to see if you are eligible for more refunds.
For example, a NOPEC customer, Jennifer Linn, was paying double her normal rate. She opted out of the program and then fought to get her money back. She reviewed what she had paid extra over the last two billing cycles, and NOPEC agreed to refund that amount. She also requested an extensive audit of her account to see if she was eligible for more refunds.
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NOPEC is a nonprofit energy aggregator
NOPEC, or the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council, is a nonprofit energy aggregator and the default natural gas supplier for many communities in Greater Cleveland. It was created in 2000 after Ohio's energy market was deregulated in 1999. Before 1999, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) regulated energy prices, and consumers could not choose their energy suppliers.
Following the deregulation, several local northeast Ohio governments decided to aggregate their purchasing power to choose electric and natural gas suppliers on behalf of their communities. This marked the beginning of NOPEC. The company positions itself as "the safe choice," following the markets so that its customers don't have to.
As a nonprofit energy aggregator, NOPEC contracts with energy suppliers on behalf of its communities but does not make any money for its services. It focuses on long-term energy savings and has energy experts who negotiate better terms and conditions for its members. NOPEC offers a variety of energy plans to fit different budgets and needs, including fixed-term and monthly variable price products.
NOPEC's electric customers receive opt-out forms every three years, while natural gas customers receive them every two years. There are no fees for opting out during the opt-out period. However, it is important to note that individuals in communities that have voted to aggregate can still choose to opt out of NOPEC and buy from private energy suppliers instead.
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Frequently asked questions
To opt out of NOVEC electric, you can fill out the form in the letter you received and mail it back, or fax it to 440-774-4422. You can also submit an opt-out request by calling NOVEC’s Customer Care Center at 1-855-667-3201.
It can take one to two billing cycles for the change to be made.
NOVEC electric rates are currently higher than the default pricing available through other suppliers, such as the Illuminating Co. and Ohio Edison. Opting out of NOVEC electric could potentially save you money on your monthly bills.
