Ohio was among the first states in nation to authorize CCA, enabled as part the Ohio Energy Choice Act of 1999 (SB3). To date, more than 250 communities in Ohio have switched to municipal aggregation for both gas and electricity.
The largest aggregation in the state, Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC), serves over 500,000 customers in 174 communities and has estimated that its customers have saved more than $175 million since its inception in 2001. Similarly, the city of Cincinnati recently formed an aggregation program for electric and natural gas services. Last year, Cincinnati constituents saved an average of $163 on their natural gas bills and $137 on their electricity bills through the rates negotiated on their behalf by the city. Cincinnati was also the first in the State to green their supply with the purchase of 100% renewable energy credits (RECs)
Aggregation in Ohio must be approved through a local ballot measure and, like Illinois, local governments facilitate the aggregation contract but do not assume day-to-day administration of the program. The largest aggregation supplier in the State is First Energy Solutions. Along with rate savings, communities in Ohio have the option of incorporating grants or other community benefits through their aggregation program, such as NOPEC’s $16M “Powering Our Community” fund.
OHIO CCA FAST FACTS (updated October 2013)
- Percentage of the cities that voted on and passed CCA in 2011: 86%
- State renewable portfolio standard (RPS): 25% by 2025
- Percentage of OH’s electricity generated by coal: 78%, down from 86% in 2010.
- Ranking of Ohio among all states in coal consumption: 4th
- Total rate savings for NOPEC customers in 2012: $24M
- Rate savings achieved by Cincinnati’s customers in 2012: 23%