Akron.com

Lakemore voters to decide on gas aggregate program



LAKEMORE — Lakemore will join a gas aggregate program through the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC), which will offer a group rate to the village, if voters want the community to participate.
Voters in the May 7 Primary/Special Election will see Issue 12 on the ballot asking if Lakemore should have the authority to aggregate the retail natural gas loads located within the incorporated areas of the village and enter into service agreements for the sale and purchase of natural gas.
The issue is about helping people “save money,” said Lakemore Fiscal Officer Tracy Fast. By using bulk purchasing power, the aggregate can pass a greater savings on to residents and businesses, she said.
“A lot of communities around us do it already,” said Fast.
In February, Lakemore Council unanimously adopted legislation authorizing actions necessary for an opt-out natural gas aggregation program for the potential benefits of natural gas deregulation through lower gas rates, which the village otherwise would not be able to achieve individually.
“This is a good opportunity for the village to get cheaper gas,” Mayor Rick Justice said at the time of the vote.
Lakemore was approached by NOPEC early in the year, asking village officials to consider the measure, Fast said.
According to information on the nonprofit, NOPEC is the largest governmental public retail energy aggregator in Ohio.
NOPEC is authorized by voters through ballot initiatives and currently serves more than 220 communities in 14 counties, states NOPEC’s website.
The organization negotiates on behalf of its members with gas suppliers to find favorable rates and terms for consumers, according to NOPEC.
The village already has been with NOPEC for electric for a “long time,” and the community’s NOPEC representative thought it would be beneficial to create the aggregate for natural gas in Lakemore, Fast said.
“NOPEC always offers their natural gas price at least a few cents less than everywhere else,” she said to explain why voters should consider supporting the issue at the polls.
According to NOPEC, if voters support the measure, all eligible residential and small-business accounts within the community would automatically be enrolled in the gas aggregate program and receive the rate negotiated specifically for NOPEC customers.
If Issue 12 is approved, consumers could see the program begin this fall, said Fast.
After the vote, there is nothing a resident or business needs to do otherwise to participate, and there will be no disruption of service, she said.
When a community is new to NOPEC, the nonprofit sends mailers to consumers confirming NOPEC is their energy supplier.
“If Issue 12 passes, individuals still would have the opportunity to easily opt out of the program if they don’t wish to participate, however,” Fast said. “You are free to choose a different supplier if you would like.”
NOPEC’s site said it would send a letter before the program begins reminding consumers of the ability to opt out.
Fast said the gas aggregate program is a “nice option for people who don’t want to shop around.”
Aside from financial savings, NOPEC would present the village with grant opportunities through the approval of Issue 12, Fast said.
NOPEC reports it has saved communities more than $300 million and awarded more than $22 million in NOPEC Community Energy Efficiency Grants since 2001.
NOPEC said each member in the aggregation program has a relationship manager who works with community leaders to ensure all the benefits of the membership are being utilized.
According to NOPEC, it also works to educate residents and businesses on how they can conserve energy to create even more savings on their energy bills.
“It really is a good opportunity for us,” Justice said.
Residents in Lakemore soon will receive correspondence from NOPEC reminding them of the ballot issue and explaining how the program works, said Fast.