MOVING COMMUNITIES FORWARD JOIN US TODAY Upcoming Webinar: Applying for Federal Funding to progress Clean Energy and resilience in your community NOVEMBER 29TH, 2023 2 PM - 3 PM (ET) Join a panel of experts from the U.S. Department of Energy and energy industry in this engaging webinar brought you by LEAN Energy US and Vrinda Inc. > LEARN MORE < +1,200 communities have an active CCA program 10.6 million households benefit from CCA CCA represents 7% of the US residential power consumption Community Choice Aggregation (a.k.a. CCA*) is a game-changing local energy model that is accelerating our country’s transition to a clean energy future. CCA is a shared-service model with investor-owned utilities that enables cities and counties to aggregate their electric load for the purpose of lowering electric rates, offering ratepayers a choice, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. LEAN Energy US provides information resources and market expertise to a national network of local governments, commercial and non-profit organizations, advocacy groups and individuals wishing to pursue CCA in their state and/or community. *The term “Community Choice Aggregation” is commonly used across the US, however, some states may refer to this model by "Community Choice Electricity", "Community Choice Energy", "Community Energy Aggregation", "Local Choice Energy", "Government Energy Aggregation", etc. State-By-State CCA Map Explore the latest CCA market insights and policy updates in all 10 CCA-enabled states. CA MI OH MA PA NY IL NM CO AZ NJ NH VA RI MD How CCA Works View More benefitting from affordable rates, local control, cleaner energy delivering energy, maintaining lines, billing customers buying and building electricity supply 2023 CCA STUDY ABOUT LEAN STATES UN DER CONSIDERATION SUPPORT OUR WORK Thank You Supporting Members and Partners !

Upcoming Webinar Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnership (GRIP) grants: Applying for Federal Funding to progress Clean Energy and resilience in your community > REGISTER HERE < Join this panel of experts from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and energy industry in this engaging webinar brought you by LEAN Energy US and Vrinda Inc. This webinar will discuss: Overview of DOE GRIP funding opportunities and expectations US trends and need for grid flexibility and resilience Lessons learned from recently concluded GRIP Grant awards Role of LEAN Energy US in supporting communities with DOE Grants Partnership opportunities to fill the gap at the local level Panelists: - Isabel Sepulveda (Senior Project Manager, Smart Grid - GRIP, U.S. Department of Energy) is the Project Manager for the GRIP Smart Grid Grants in the Grid Deployment Office at USDOE. She oversees the selection, award, and ongoing management of a $3B portfolio of smart grid modernization projects across the United States. - Navneet Trivedi (Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer - Vrinda Inc.) works with utilities, policymakers, regulators in US and internationally to deploy innovative business models to harness the full potential of emerging technologies. - Alison Elliott (Executive Director - LEAN Energy US) has participated in the launch of several California Community Choice Aggregation (CCA)s and has developed a strong understanding of the energy sector and CCA history and politics across the US. - Claire Dépit (Director of Public Policy - LEAN Energy US) is responsible for engaging with federal agencies and facilitating CCA growth strategy nationally. About: - The U.S. Department of Energy: As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Grid Deployment Office is administering a $10.5 billion Grid Resilience a nd Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program to enhance grid flexibility and improve the resilience of the power system against growing threats of extreme weather and climate change. These programs will accelerate the deployment of transformative projects that will help to ensure the reliability of the power sector’s infrastructure, so all American communities have access to affordable, reliable, clean electricity anytime, anywhere. - LEAN Energy US (www.leanenergyus.org ) is a national 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2011 that provides information resources and market expertise to a national network of local governments, commercial and non-profit organizations, advocacy groups, and individuals wishing to pursue or expand Community Choice Aggregation (“CCA”) in their states and/or communities. - Vrinda Inc. (www.vrindainc.com ) is a boutique international strategy implementation firm helping deploy innovative business models to harness the full potential of emerging technologies. Vrinda leverages deep expertise in the clean energy and utility industry, real-world experience, and an extensive partners’ network to ensure success in every project. QUESTIONNAIRE FOR COMMUNITIES

NON-BINDING QUESTIONNAIRE FOR INTERESTED COMMUNITIES Applying for Federal Funding to progress Clean Energy and resilience in your community > PARTNER PROFILE First and last name Email Job Title Which local government and state do you represent? > UNDERSTANDING YOUR NEEDS Has your community ever implemented a project(s) related to sustainability? If yes, what was it? Has your community ever applied for state and/or federal funding related to sustainability? If yes, can you give more details? Can you describe recent climate-related event(s) (e.g., extreme weather, wildlife, natural disasters, etc.) that affect the electric grid in your community? Are you interested in increasing the flexibility, efficiency, and reliability of the electric power system in your community or any Smart Grid projects? If yes, what are you the most interested in? Are you interested in grid technological innovation for your community? Any particular area of interest? > PROGRAM UNDERSTANDING Have you applied for Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnership (GRIP) grants in 2022/23? If yes, what was the result? Are you familiar with the GRIP grants cost sharing requirements? Most of the grants require matching contributions. Do you have any idea or willingness to provide matching grants? Would you be interested in partnering with other local governments for a grant application? Yes No Maybe Have you ever partnered with your local utility on past projects? Would you be able to bring your local utility as a partner on new projects? Do you serve disadvantaged communities in your territory? Do you know or have you ever developed Community Benefit Plans? Send Submission Now Thanks for your submission! For any questions, please contact Claire Dépit at cdepit@leanenergyus.org Please leave this page open for a few minutes after you submit your response.

Community Choice is called Municipal Electricity Aggregation (MEA) in Illinois. MEA became wildly popular from 2011 to 2013 because it offered very significant savings to customers. When savings largely disappeared in 2014-15, many MEAs ceased operations, however from 2016 on, MEAs have been re-launching and/or forming with favorable pricing. In 2023, Illinois has almost 400 communities with active MEAs and a strong base of political support. 746 communities with Local CCA Authorization 379 active CCA communities 367 inactive CCA communities 7,807,000 MWh of annual load (2022) 14 % statewide population participants 734,000 total c ustomer accounts 6 to 36 -month electricity supply contracts Use this interactive map to explore CCA communities across Illinois. Use your mouse to zoom in and click on flags for more information. HISTORY Municipal electricity aggregation in the Illinois operates in a competitive retail environment. A functional separation between power generation and power delivery has existed since the 1990s. Municipalities or individual customers are able to sign contracts to buy power from licensed Alternative Retail Energy Suppliers (ARES). However, before the introduction of MEA, few residential customers took the trouble to switch to electricity from alternative suppliers. ​ As in other Community Choice states, Illinois’ large utilities – ComEd and Ameren Illinois – continue to handle power transmission and distribution, line maintenance and customer billing. Because the retail market was already open, the utilities expressed no opposition to the introduction of municipal aggregation. ARES companies supported the introduction and growth of MEA because it reduced their customer acquisition costs. ​ Most CCA communities in the state contract with a consultant to choose the energy supplier during the procurement process. After that, the supplier is in charge of managing the program. It is a shared effort between the local government’s staff, the energy supplier, and the aggregation consultant. ​ In 2012-13 Illinois was the fastest growing community choice market in the nation. The growth was caused by MEAs initially having a pricing advantage of as much as 3 cents/kWh over the incumbent power suppliers. MEAs offered rates of about 5 cents/kWh at a time when ComEd was charging about 8 cents/kWh. ​ Capping this period of heady growth, Chicago voters approved a referendum in November, 2012 to launch an MEA, making it by far the largest US city to embrace community choice. More than 70% of residential and small commercial customers in ComEd’s service region were enrolled in MEA in late 2013. ​ By the middle of 2014 more than 720 Illinois communities had formed MEAs; however, in the second half of 2014 the price advantage that MEAs had enjoyed began to erode and, in some cases, became a price disadvantage - the two large investor-owned utilities were able to obtain cheaper electricity supplies and lower their rates. Consequently, approximately 100 MEAs (including Chicago in 2015) returned their customers to bundled service provided by Ameren Illinois and ComEd. (Doing this did not terminate the existence of an MEA. It essentially suspended the MEA so that it could be restarted if conditions changed, and no new referendum would be required to do so.) ​ By 2016 many MEA programs were once again able to sign contracts with suppliers that offered a slight price advantage (up to 1 cent/kWh) over utility prices to their customers, which stemmed the decline in the number of MEAs. ​ As of May, 2022, Illinois has more communities that have enabled CCA, whether their program is active or not, than all other states combined. To date, 746 communities –including counties, cities, townships, towns, and villages– have enabled a CCA local law, of which, 379 were active as of May 21, 2022. ​ The average CCA rates in Illinois have recently become more attractive in large part because many CCA communities initiated two-year electricity supply contracts at a time when electricity rates were low. FAST FACTS Illinois has more political jurisdictions participating in aggregation programs than all other states combined. ​ According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, 44 of the top 100 Green Power Partnership communities are in Illinois Although rate savings have always been the primary impetus for MEA formation in Illinois, some municipalities have prioritized purchasing electricity generated by renewable resources, particularly wind energy. Other cities – perhaps as many of half of Illinois’ MEAs — purchase energy from coal, nuclear and combined cycle gas plants, but offset the associated greenhouse gas emissions by purchasing unbundled renewable energy certificates (RECs). A recent poll conducted in April, 2019 shows that a super-majority of Illinois residents want to be able to choose their energy supplier, choose clean energy, and want more renewable energy in the Illinois power system. The Illinois Renewable Energy Investment Act SB 316 and HB 1747 , passed in 2021, was a sweeping energy regulation overhaul that aims to phase out carbon emissions from the energy sector by 2045 while diversifying the renewable energy workforce. Included in the bill is a mandate to close fossil fuel plants between 2030 and 2045, depending on the source and carbon emissions level, subsidizes three nuclear plants with $694 million paid over a period of five years, and increases subsidies for renewable energy by more than $350 million annually. The Electric Service Customer Choice and Rate Relief Law of 1997 significantly restructured the Illinois electric industry and provided a transition to competitive retail markets. It allowed alternative retail electric suppliers (ARES) to compete against each other and the utility to service customers. Customer choice was phased-in starting in October, 1999 for commercial and industrial customers and in May, 2002 for residential customers. The Illinois Commerce Commission was charged to promote the development of an effectively competitive electricity market. CCA (a.k.a. MEA) PROGRAMS STATE AGENCIES Plug In Illinois (list of communities) ​ CCA POWER PROVIDERS AEP Energy Harbor Constellation Dynegy Energy Eligo Energy Homefield energy MC Squared Energy Services INVESTOR OWNED UTILITIES Ameren Illinois Exelon Corp (ComEd) MidAmerican Energy Company Illinois Commerce Commission, Electricity Illinois Commerce Commission, Office of Retail Market Development Citizen’s Utility Board Illinois Power Agency ​ INFORMATION RESOURCES Plug In Illinois ​ U.S. Energy Information Administration, Illinois State Energy Profile ​ Illinois Power Agency ​ CCA-Enabling Legislation: House Bill 362 ​ Guide to Municipal Electricity Aggregation ​ ​ RECENT PRESS Galesburg mayor: Energy aggregation saves residents millions . Tri States Public Radio, November 13, 2023 ​ Riverside sticking with 100% green power program . Riverside-Brookfield Landmark, July 3, 2023 ​ It's time to make your decision on community aggregation. Here's a few things to consider. WCBU.org, June 20, 2023 ​ Lake Zurich making green energy option available to residents . Dailey Herald, June 1, 2023 ​ Paxton reinstating electric aggregation program . Fordcountychronicle.com, February 22, 2023 ​ Galesburg Mayor Explains Why Most Residents Are Protected From Energy Price Hikes . WGIL.com, December 27, 2022 ​ Chicago’s Plan for 100 Percent Clean Municipal Electricity . nrdc.org, August 29, 2022 ​ Central Illinois energy rates to double, stick around for a year . hoiabc.com, June 6, 2022 ​ Think your Ameren energy bill was high last winter? Just wait for this summer. Peoria Journal Star, April 27, 2022 ILLINOIS

CALIFORNIA CCAs in California focus on the rapid transition to highly renewable and/or greenhouse gas-free sources of electricity generation while keeping rates at or below what investor-owned utilities charge. California’s focus on the environmental benefits that CCAs can deliver distinguish it from other states where a focus on lower rates has been the primary driver of the growth of CCAs. 92% average participation rate (2022) 13,977 MW of new renewables since inception 218 (+ 511 unincorporated areas) communities with Local CCA Authorization 218 (+ 511 unincorporated areas) active CCA communities 58,618,000 MWh of annual load (2022) 38% statewide population participants 0 inactive CCA communities 5,862,000 total c ustomer accounts 10 to 25 -year electricity supply contracts Use this interactive map to explore CCA communities across California. Use your mouse to zoom in and click on flags for more information. HISTORY California experimented briefly with electricity deregulation in the late 1990s, but pulled back after the California electricity crisis bankrupted the state’s three large investor-owned utilities (IOUs). For residents and almost all businesses, CCAs (where they exist) are the only alternative to buying electricity from the local IOU. (CCAs are not offered in cities that operate municipal electric utilities . Some large businesses are allowed to purchase power directly from independent electric service providers via “Direct Access , ” but this program has been capped and its expansion is tightly constrained. Legislation to expand Direct Access (SB 237 ) passed in 2018 however a decision recommending against further direct access expansion was passed in 2021. ​ CCAs are opt-out programs and are established by a local ordinance voted on by the governing body of a county, city or special district (e.g. local water agency or public utility district). No public vote or referendum is required. CCAs are set up either by a single jurisdiction (as in the cities of San Francisco, San Jose and Lancaster) or by two or more jurisdictions that create a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) to operate the CCA on their behalf. When a JPA is used, each jurisdiction, regardless of its population, usually gets one seat on the JPA’s Board of Directors. Directors are usually elected officials of participating jurisdictions, e.g., a city council member of county supervisor. Directors are appointed by the jurisdiction’s governing body. The JPA approach is favored because it creates a legal firewall between the potential future liabilities of the JPA and the assets of its member cities and towns, although member cities may be required to provide loans or loan guarantees to enable the JPA to secure bank loans for its initial working capital. ​ Once a CCA has operated successfully for a period of time it is possible for it to expand geographically and add customers in other parts of the state, as both MCE and Sonoma Clean Power have done. ​ Initial power supply contracts for new CCAs are typically for 5 years or less, but 15-25 year power purchase agreements (PPAs) for solar, wind and geothermal generation are common for more established CCAs. Development of local renewable energy projects is often a core goal. Most CCAs in California also offer solar net energy metering tariffs that are slightly more generous (e.g., 1 cent per kWh) than those offered by IOUs. Many also offer feed-in-tariff incentives for medium and large-scale local solar projects, energy efficiency programs, and demand response programs. ​ California’s first CCA, MCE , was launched in 2010 to serve customers in parts of Marin County. The program that was once branded as a “risky scheme” has proven to be economically viable and has expanded its service territory and its roster of programs and services. ​ In recent years with new CCA launches and communities opting to join already existing CCAs, total annual loads for these programs have steadily increased. The total CCA annual load in California has increased by 16% between 2021 and 2022 and is set to increase by 11% between 2022 and 2023. ​ FAST FACTS Unlike the process in many other states, communities in California do not have to hold a referendum to start or join a CCA. Local elected officials authorize participation in a CCA by a simple majority vote. ​ ​ Large hydro-electric dams and nuclear power plants are not classified as eligible renewable energy technologies in California, but the electricity they produce is considered to be greenhouse gas free. ​ ​ Every CCA offers both a basic (default) electricity offering (typically 35% to 55% renewable) and also a 100% renewable option for one to two cents more per kWh. ​ ​ Unbundled Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) are not widely used by California CCAs, though they are sometimes used during the first year or two of a new CCA’s operation before new solar or wind farms can be built to serve the CCA’s customers. ​ ​ When it began delivering electricity in April 2017, Silicon Valley Clean Energy was the first California CCA whose default offering was 100% GHG-free. ​ ​ Clean Power Alliance is currently California’s largest CCA and serves approximately 3 million customers and 1 million customer accounts across 32 communities throughout Southern California. ​ ​ Formed in February, 2021, California Community Power is a Joint Powers Agency comprised of nine California CCAs. CC Power allows its member CCAs to combine their buying power to procure new, cost-effective clean energy and reliability resources to continue advancing local and state climate goals. The new JPA serves more than 2 million customers in more than 140 municipalities from Humboldt to Santa Barbara. CCA PROGRAMS STATE AGENCIES Apple Valley Choice Energy Ava Community Energy (formerly EBCE) Baldwin Park Resident Owned Utility District Central Coast Community E nergy Clean Energy Alliance Clean Power Alliance CleanPowerSF Desert Community Energy King City Community Power Lancaster Choice Energy MCE Peninsula Clean Energy Pico Rivera Innovative Municipal Energy Pioneer Community Energy Pomona Choice Energy Rancho Mirage Energy Authority Redwood Coast Energy Authority San Diego Community Power San Jacinto Power San José Clean Energy Santa Barbara Clean Power Silicon Valley Clean Energy Sonoma Clean Power Valley Clean Energy ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ California Independent System Operator (CAISO) California Energy Commission California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) California Air Resources Board INFORMATION RESOURCES California Community Choice Association (Cal-CCA) ​ California Alliance for Community Energy ​ California Renewables Portfolio Standard ​ Center for Climate Protection ​ US Energy Information Administration, California State Energy Profile ​ INVESTOR OWNED UTILITIES Pacific Gas & Electric San Diego Gas & Electric Southern California Edison RECENT PRESS California CCAs Secure Almost 14 GW in Contracts with New-Build Clean Energy Resources. CalCCA, November 2, 2023 Powering California with Clean Energy Solutions . World Nation News, October 24, 2023 482-MW California solar + storage project built with union labor . Solar Power World, October 18, 2023 Moody’s Upgrades Investment Grade Credit Rating for Silicon Valley Clean Energy . American Public Power Association, August 2, 2023 SDG&E’s Mission Evolves as Majority Now Buy Power from Community Choice Aggregators . Times of San Diego, June 26, 2023 California Community Power Initiates Request for Information regarding Developing Wind Energy Off California Coast . cacommunitypower.org, April 25, 2023 San Diego Community Power aims to provide green energy alternative to SDG&E . kusi.com, March 15, 2023 Peninsula Clean Energy Signs Four Contracts Expanding Renewable Power, Storage Capability . peninsulacleanenergy.com, January 24, 2023 Peninsula Clean Energy, Renewable America Launch New Merced County Solar Project . peninsulacleanenergy.com, October 26, 2022 Eight more Clean Power Alliance Communities Choose 100% Green Power as their primary energy option to create a healthier and more sustainable future . cal-cca.org, October 24, 2022 California Communit y Choice Aggregation Group Enters Geothermal Energy Agreement . publicpower.org, October 20, 2022

OHIO Ohio was among the first states to authorize Governmental Electricity Aggregation (GEA) as part the Energy Choice Act of 1999 (SB3). As of March, 2023, 632 communities have enabled CCA in Ohio and 354 have an active program for approximately 2.3 million customer accounts. 632 communities wi th Local CCA Authorization 354 active CCA community 278 inactive CCA communities 19,400,000 MWh of annual load (2022) 46% statewide population participants 2,300 ,000 total c ustomer accounts 1 to 3 -year electricity supply contracts Use this interactive map to explore CCA communities across Ohio. Use your mouse to zoom in and click on flags for more information. HISTORY Ohio is served by a patchwork of several electric distribution companies, electric co-ops and municipal electric utilities, as shown on this map . ​ Direct Energy has written an excellent 2-page history of energy deregulation and customer choice in Ohio. The remainder of this history section is condensed from that source. ​ In July 1999, Ohio restructured its energy market to allow consumers to choose their energy provider, effective January 1, 2001. Customers could choose to buy energy from Certified Retail Electric Suppliers (CRES) instead of automatically receiving it from their local utility company. Four activities that had previously been performed by investor owned utilities (IOU) were separated. ​ Electric Utilities, also known as Electric Distribution Companies (EDCs), would control transmission and distribution (aka “poles and wires”) Marketers would sell retail service to residential and commercial customers Brokers or aggregators would contract with retailers on behalf of groups of buyers Governmental aggregators (County, municipal, or local community governments) would contract with suppliers for service on behalf of their residents and businesses The first few years of deregulation were rocky. Customers were hesitant to switch to new suppliers or aggregators due a lack of price differences. Meanwhile, changes in the market landscape left many without choices. The northern (primarily urban) part of the state had more energy suppliers, while the southern (rural) part had fewer. Consequently, in areas where suppliers were sparse, customer choice was often effectively limited to community aggregation or the incumbent utility. Litigation over compliance with SB3 also delayed the transition to full market pricing. ​ In May 2008, Governor Ted Strickland signed Senate Bill 221 into law to revise PUCO’s regulatory structure. It required incumbent utilities to offer a Standard Service Offer (SSO) for customers who did not actively choose a retail supplier. PUCO was given broad authority to make sure certain utilities’ SSO proposals were “fair and equitable” to consumers. ​ SB 221 also required each incumbent utility to shed its power generation operations and become an electric distribution utility (EDU). ​ 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. ​ Average CCA rates have remained stable compared to the default utility rates in Ohio. Several communities offer various “green power” options through the purchase of unbundled renewable energy credits (“RECs”) to offset the greenhouse gasses emitted by their sources of generation. From standard energy products to 100% renewable energy offerings, most communities purchase Green-e Certified RECs from wind power resources, as it is one of the most inexpensive renewable resources in the Midwest. In 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency designated 19 CCA communities in Ohio as “Green Power Communities” for offering a high amount of renewable power at competitive prices (SOPEC, 2023). FAST FACTS In an unprecedented move in August 2022, NOPEC announced it was moving 550,000 (about half) of its customers back to FirstEnergy utilities. NOPEC's and other retailers' current electric rates in the state are higher than the utility's price to compare because the utility's rate was determined largely in auctions conducted before April, when energy prices were considerably lower. NOPEC’s Standard Program Price would have been almost double Ohio Edison’s price to compare. In April, 2023, NOPEC announced it is relaunching their program to its previously dropped customers, with a summer rate of half the utility's default price. Clean Energy Columbus was the third-largest CCA in the nation when it launched on June 1, 2021. Clean Energy Columbus buys RECs from Illinois, Nebraska, North Carolina, and Oklahoma and spurred proposals from developers to build Ohio-based renewable energy facilities. The oil and gas industries did not want competition from renewables and used their powerful lobbying presence to spur the state legislature to take action. Most notably, Senate Bill 52 , was passed in October, 2021, which set up additional hurdles in local approval that solar and wind – but not oil and gas – must obtain. Despite the hurdles, in 2023, the program's supplier is in talks with eight Ohio-based solar and wind projects in various phases of development. Most are projected to be online by mid-2025. NOPEC has saved its customers more than a quarter billion dollars since 2000. Ohio’s alternative energy portfolio standard is 3.5% in 2017 and 12.5% by 2027. See this page for more details. Ohio maintains a public Do Not Aggregate list for customers who do not want to be “opted in” to a GEA, but few people have registered themselves on it. CCA PROGRAMS INFORMATION RESOURCES RECENT PRESS INVESTOR OWNED UTILITIES NOPEC: Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (list of participating communities) SOPEC: Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council (list of participating communities) ​ NOAC: Northwest Ohio Aggregation Coalition (list of participating communities) ​ EAI: Energy Alliance Aggregation Programs (list of participating communities) ​ Miami Valley Communications Council (MVCC) ​ Individual CCA programs (list of participating communities) ​ CCAOSC programs (list of participating communities) Ohio Public Utilities Commission PUCO’s interactive map of all Ohio aggregation programs Energy Choice Ohio CCA-Enabling Legislation: SB 3 , SB 221 US Energy Information Administration, Ohio State Energy Profile Energy Choice Ohio Energy Choice Ohio's Apples to Apples Electric Comparison Chart Sustainable Columbus Power For A Clean Future Ohio AEP Ohio AES Ohio Dayton Power & Light Duke Ene rgy FirstEnergy The Illuminating Company Ohio E dison Toledo Edison NOPEC responds to critique, avows commitment to clean energy and serving member communities . August 18, 2023, Ohio Capital Journal AEP Ohio Electric Bill Prices Spike by Nearly 30% . August 8, 202 3, CNET ​ Electric aggregatio n bringing lower rates to Lima . July 25, 2023, Hometown Stations ​ Effort to cut residents’ utility bills by hundreds of dollars is working in area cities taking part. June 23, 2023, Dayton Daily News ​ What we know about Cleveland’s new electric rates . June 16, 2023, Fox8.com Group representing local cities approves electric rate deal that’s 39% cheaper. Dayton Dailey News, June 16, 2023 ​ Energy aggregator NOPEC is back after surviving an upheaval in electricity markets . April 28, 2023, ideastream.org ​ Springfield residents: What to know about city’s electric program, new Ohio Edison rates . April 24, 2023, Springfield News-Sun ​ FirstEnergy default electricity prices will double in June. Here's why . March 25, 2023, Akron Beacon Journal ​ NOPEC can resume electric aggregation — what it means for your bill . March 8, 2023, fox8.com ​ Are the lights coming back on at NOPEC? State regulators could soon decide . January 15, 2023, fox8.com Duke Energy raises prices on Cincinnati residents but those enrolled in the City’s aggregation program will save over the next year . June 6, 2022, fox19.com ​ Aggregation participants protected from higher energy costs . June 1, 2022, Daily Advocate

WHAT IS CCA ( Community Choice Aggregation) ? Market Based, Flexible, Local. Aggre-what? We know—it’s a wonky name for a relatively simple concept meaning group purchasing: in this case, the purchasing of electricity. In dictionary speak, Community Choice Aggregation¹ allows local governments and some special districts to pool (or aggregate) their electricity load in order to purchase and/or develop power on behalf of the residents, businesses, and municipal accounts within their service territory² .Established by law in eleven states thus far, CCA is an energy supply model that works in partnership with the region’s existing utility, which continues to deliver power, maintain the grid, provide consolidated billing and other customer services. View More benefitting from affordable rates, local control, cleaner energy delivering energy, maintaining lines, billing customers buying and building electricity supply How Community Aggregation Works WHY DO IT? Through CCA, local governments and their constituents are achieving a powerful range of objectives: Competitive, often significantly lower, electricity rates³ Transition to a cleaner, more efficient energy supply Consumer choice, consumer protection, and local control Local jobs creation and local power resiliency Complementary energy programs such as net energy metering, energy efficiency retrofits, distributed rooftop and community solar, electric vehicle incentives and demand response technologies New renewable power development OPTIONS, OPTIONS Energy aggregation can be done on an opt-in or opt-out basis (depending on state statute), but the most common and successful programs are opt-out ⁴ . This means that customers are automatically enrolled after a successful public referendum at the local level, as in Illinois and Ohio; or, enrolled when their local elected representatives (city council or county board) vote to form or join a CCA program, as in California. The opt-in approach is voluntary but participation rates are traditionally very low which reduces the value of group purchasing and makes it harder for local programs to achieve economic viability. Opt-out aggregation achieves the necessary market scale for effective group purchasing, but allows a customer to switch back to utility service at any time. Either way, customers always have the choice. ​ Customers also enjoy several product options within a CCA’s offerings, including 100% renewable and/or carbon free power and access to a variety of complementary energy prorams. PUBLIC POWER BENEFITS WITHOUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE PRICE TAG Non-profit municipal utilities, or munis, provide highly reliable electricity supply at rates averaging 15 to 20 percent below the rates of traditional investor-owned utilities. Like munis, CCAs offer cost efficiencies, flexibility, and local control. But unlike munis, they do not face the capital-intensive and open-ended challenge of valuing, purchasing, and maintaining expensive utility infrastructure. CCA offers a “hybrid” approach that exists between the investor-owned (often monopoly) utility and a municipal (or member coop) utility. CCA reaps the benefits of controlling power supply and generation without the financial drag of purchasing and maintaining sometimes antiquated utility infrastructure. In this way, it is a great option for municipalities who want control over their power supply but don’t want the financial and operational burdens of owning their own utility. HOW DO YOU PAY FOR IT? Because CCA is revenue-based—not government subsidized—CCA programs are self-supporting from an existing revenue stream. That is, the electricity rates that consumers pay to a retail electric supplier or an investor-owned utility are bundled and redirected to support the group purchase of electricity through a local CCA program. SO WHAT HAPPENS TO THE UTILITY? In restructured (or “retail”) states, there is a defined functional separation between energy generation and energy distribution. In this scenario, the partner/distribution role of the incumbent utility is well established and retail supply competition already exists. In these states, the utility is a ready and willing partner for aggregated communities. The retail energy suppliers understand the market value of group purchasing and compete at the municipal rather than “door to door” sales level to win supply contracts. ​ In partially restructured or un-restructured states (“wholesale” markets) where utilities hold monopoly positions, the reaction to CCA has been less than supportive. After all, a CCA disrupts their monopoly control of the power supply market. It’s important to note, however, that bundled utility customers are not adversely impacted and the utilities themselves are “made whole” on departing load through a mechanism called cost recovery surcharges (or exit fees). In both models (retail and wholesale), the utility retains ownership and management of the transmission and distribution infrastructure, and all power delivery, line repair, billing, and customer service functions remain with the existing utility. 2023 CCA STUDY CCA PROGRAM VIDEOS ​ An Animated Guide to Peninsula Clean Energy What is Community Choice? The Center for Climate Protection ​ Cleaner Energy, Lower Cost: Why Community Energy The Center for Climate Protection ​ ​ HELP FUL LINKS AND DOWNLOADS ​ RMI Report: Procuring Large-Scale Renewables through Aggregation: A Guide for Local Governments . RMI, 2021 ​ Accelerating Achievement of Net Zero Goals. January 10, 2021 by Wunderlich-Malec Engineering, John Kelly author. ​ Banding Together: How Aggregation Helps Cities Buy Renewables At Scale . Clean Technica, August 18, 2021. ¹ Also called municipal aggregation and government energy aggregation in the midwest and northeast, respectively ² CCA is statutorily enabled in CA, IL, OH, MA, NH, NJ, NY, RI and VA with a handful of other states considering legislation; CCAs in CA and IL are permitted to develop power projects as well as contract for power. Some states (e.g. OH) also allow for gas aggregation. ³ Nationwide, CCA electric rate savings average between 2%-20% depending on market conditions and power resources ⁴ National average opt-out rates range from 3-8% with most programs at or below 5%

NEW YORK New York has one of the most ambitious renewable energy visions of any state. Several years after the establishment of New York’s first CCA, Westchester Power is doing well and continuing to grow. As of January, 2023, hundreds municipalities have launched or are pursuing CCAs to achieve local energy goals. 158 communities wi th Local CCA Authorization 101 active CCA community 57 inactive CCA communities 1,519,000 MWh of annual load (2022) 5% statewide population participants 352,000 total c ustomer accounts 1.5 to 3 -year electricity supply contracts Use this interactive map to explore CCA communities across New York. Use your mouse to zoom in and click on flags for more information. HISTORY In 2014 New York State began a series of reforms that are referred to as Reforming the Energy Vision (REV). These programs are designed to benefit both the environment and the state’s economy by creating many small, local, clean power plants throughout New York and increasing the benefits of retail price competition for residential and business customers. The Order Instituting Proceeding and Soliciting Comments about CCAs was issued on December 15, 2014. ​ In February, 2015 the New York Public Service Commission approved the plans for creating the state’s first CCA, Westchester Power , to serve communities in Westchester County, a well-to-do region north of New York City. The Public Service Commission also laid down the ground rules for future CCAs in New York on April 21, 2016 when it issued an “Order Authorizing Framework for Community Choice Aggregation Opt-Out Program.” The order encourages formation of CCAs by individual cities, towns and villages or by groups of those municipalities. However, it forbids Counties from forming CCAs. In New York, a concept called “home rule” gives cities, towns and villages a kind of sovereignty that does not allow counties to make decisions that bind municipalities. ​ On Oct. 13, 2016 the PSC took steps to make it easier for communities to form CCAs by modifying its April 21, 2016 decision in Case 14-M-0224. The order requires greater sharing of customer information between incumbent utilities and CCAs and allows gradual roll-out of CCAs in large cities rather than requiring all residents and small businesses to be enrolled at the same time. This provision for gradual roll-out in New York was a huge win for CCAs in the state. Several New York City Community Boards, which are advisory groups with real power on local issues, are currently investigating forming community-scale CCAs within New York City. ​ One unique feature of the New York electricity market is that IOUs are not allowed to offer stable electricity prices. Generation charges fluctuate monthly, and can range from as low as 3 cents/kWh to 15 cents/kWh. CCAs, on the other hand, can offer stable prices and can guarantee those rates for one or more years, depending on the duration of the supply contract they enter into. ​ 2022 was a good year for CCA participants in the state. Each customer participating in a CCA program in New York has saved up to $180 in 2022, for a total of $25 million saved with CCA that year. As shown in the graph below, average CCA rates in New York have remained more stable and affordable than the utilities’ rates. FAST FACTS In 2022, 75% of the total energy served by CCA communities was renewable. Despite serving less than 5% of New York State’s population, in 2021, CCAs accounted for more than 30% of New York renewable electricity voluntarily purchased. New York CCAs buy their renewable power in-state only, as it is a requirement to qualify as “renewable energy.” CCA communities use NYS RECs registered through the New York Generation Attribute Tracking System (“NYGATS”). Most New York CCA programs have used 100% NYS hydropower RECs registered through NYGATS allowing CCA communities to avoid 1,300,000 metric tons (“MT”) of CO2 since 2016 New York’s regulations make CCAs “opt out” for residences and small businesses, but “opt in” for large businesses and industrial accounts. They emphasize local renewables and distributed energy resources (DER), which are cornerstones of the Renewable Energy Vision. Since its launch in May, 2016, Westchester Power has grown to 29 communities accounting for 145,000 Westchester electric customers, representing 40% of the county residents. ​ Joule Community Power 's first program launched in 2019 and now serves 56 communities /800,000 customers with $18 million in electricity cost savings in 2022. New initiatives include an Energy Storage for Social Equity project in Rochester and a Community Solar project in Southampton. ​ ​ Municipal Electric & Gas Alliance (MEGA) presently serves more than 30 county governments and more than 250 municipalities, including many school districts. CCA PROGRAMS INFORMATION RESOURCES Finger Lakes Community Choice Rochester Community Power Monroe Community Power Gateway Community Power Rockland Community Power Hudson Valley Community Power Westchester Power Capital Region Aggregation Southern Tier Aggregation Clinton County Community Choice Penfield Community Choice Aggregation Greene County Choice Wesley Hills Choice Kingston Community Choice Aggregation ​ CCA-Enabling Legislation: Governor’s Press Release NY Department of Public Service CCA Proceeding Page NY Public Ser vice Commission US Energy Information Administration, New York State Energy Profile NYSERDA resource page for CCAs Communities for Local Power Joule Assets Reforming the Energy Vision Opt-Out CDG Coalition INVESTOR OWNED UTILITIES Central Hudson ConEd Long Island Power Authority National Grid/Niagara Mohawk NYSEG Orange and Rockland Rochester Gas and Electric RECENT PRESS 12 mid-Hudson towns aggregated energy-buying power. Here’s how it works. Times Union, June 12, 2023 ​ Energy Collective to Relaunch, Without Beacon . The Highlands Current, March 17, 2023 ​ Rochester to start electricity aggregation program . sippican.theweektoday.com, January 13, 2023 ​ Kingston launches green energy pooling plan . dailyfreeman.com, October 26, 2022 ​ A quest for cleaner energy: Community Choice Aggregation Program in Rochester . rochesterfirst.com, August 16, 2022 ​ 23,000 community choice aggregation customers sent back to Central Hudson . dailyfreeman.com, August 5, 2022 ​ CCA program comes to a premature end…for now . hudsonvalleyone.com, August 1, 2022 ​ Brighton renewable power program on pause after contractor defaults . rochestercitynewspaper.com, July 13, 2022 ​ Henrietta and Rush are eyeing renewable power for residents and businesses. rochestercitynewspaper.com, May 24, 2022 ​ Yonkers Announces 100% Renewable Energy Supply Program for Residents . Yonkers Times, January 9, 2022

NEW HAMPSHIRE In 1996, New Hampshire was the first state to pass an Electric Utility Restructuring Act to de-monopolize aspects of the power sector and give customers greater choice, lower costs, and enable market innovations. After a stall in the market for several years, New Hampshire’s Community Power law was passed and became effective October 1, 2019 to help revamp the efforts. 14 communities with Local CCA Authorization 14 active CCA communities 0 inactive CCA communities 700,000 MWh of annual load (expected: 2023) 15 % statewide population participants 78,000 total c ustomer accounts 3 to 30 -month electricity supply contracts Use this interactive map to explore CCA communities across New Hampshire. Use your mouse to zoom in and click on flags for more information. HISTORY New Hampshire restructured and implemented retail choice in 1996, with an opt-in option (RSA 374-F ). As a result, there was not much impact on the state’s electric offering. To remedy this, in 2019 the state introduced an update to the law, RSA-53E which allowed for opt-out choice. In addition, the update also authorized Community Power Programs to implement electricity metering infrastructure. ​ In January, 2021 HB 315 was introduced, which would place a number of regulatory and other hurdles in the way of, and perhaps even deter, communities hoping to adopt power aggregation plans. Fortunately, in April, 2021, both the state’s electric utilities and community power advocates unanimously agreed to an amendment of HB 315 that will eliminate the bill’s most objectionable features. ​ The Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH) formed a Super JPA in early 2021 with the cities of Hanover , Lebanon , Nashua and Cheshire . These member municipalities began working together to competitively procure electricity supplies, offer innovative customer services and programs, and begin to work in partnership with distribution utilities, regulators and innovative businesses to modernize the state's electrical grid and market infrastructure. On October 1, 2021, Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire incorporated with thirteen municipal members and 1 county Member. Coalition Membership is open to all New Hampshire cities, towns, counties and regionally operated Community Power Aggregations. The state launched its first CCA programs in the Spring of 2023, with 14 communities participating. 10 to 30 additional communities are set to start a CCA program in the coming months. FAST FACTS Between May and July 2023, all CCA communities have standard, 33% renewable, 50% renewable, and 100% renewable energy rates lower than the default utility standard rates (see Figure 20). This has been demonstrated to be an excellent opportunity for customers to increase the demand for renewable energy in the state. The Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (“CPCNH”)’s ten CCAs are projected to save on average 23% in the first three months of the program, representing $5,855,000.[1] Additionally, Standard Power and Good Energy’s collective estimates[2] that their four CCA communities will save 25% on their electricity bills in 2023. CCA PROGRAMS STATE AGENCIES RECENT PRESS Enfield Community Power Hanover Community Powe r Harris ville Community Power Lebanon Community Power Nashua Community Power Peterborough Community Power Plainfield Community Power Rye Community Power Walpole Community Power Londonderry Community Choice Aggregation Lincoln Community Choice Aggregation Keene Community Power Wilton Community Power Marlborough Community Power Swanzey Community Power Exeter Community Power New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission ISO New England Public Utilities Commission RPS Website INFORMATION RESOURCES CCA-Enabling Legislation: SB 286 ; RSA 53-E:6 ​ New Hampshire's RPS statute , RSA 362-F ​ Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire ​ Community Choice New Hampshire INVESTOR OWNED UTILITIES Eversource Unitil Liberty Power New Hampshire Co-operative ​ ​ NH community power: Rates will be 20 to 40 percent less than utility companies . March 13, 2023, New Hampshire Bulletin Keene Community Power Program to Launch in June . March 8, 2023, keenenh.gov Community power picks up steam. Municipalities enter a new era of energy. November 4, 2022, New Hampshire Business Review Electric prices are going up, but advocates say there's another way. July 31, 2022, The New Hampshire Union Leader Local municipalities still awaiting final state rules for community power plan s . July 23, 2022, Yahoo News Public Utilities Commission starts the process to make rules for community power programs . January 13, 2022, NHPR.org Wilton looks to form community power group . Monadnock Ledger-Transcript, November 24, 2021 CPCNH incorporates with membership of 13 municipalities and 1 county . Seacoastonline.com, October 5, 2021

VIRGINIA Community Choice Aggregation is called "Municipal Aggregation" in Virginia, which was established in 1999. Counties, cities, municipalities and other political subdivisions may establish a Municipal Aggregation for electricity service however, no programs have yet been launched. HISTORY Municipal aggregation has been allowed in Virginia since 1999, when it was introduced in the Electric Utility Restructuring Act (SB 1269). The Act added to the Code of Virginia in Title 56 section 56-589 Municipal and state aggregation, which was amended in several sessions throughout the years as follows: ​ 1999 Session; Chapter 441 . Introduces § 56-589 Municipal and State Aggregation ​ “Counties, cities and towns (hereafter “municipalities”) and other political subdivisions of the Commonwealth may, at their election and upon authorization by majority votes of their governing bodies, aggregate electrical energy and demand requirements for the purpose of negotiating the purchase of electrical energy requirements from any licensed supplier within this Commonwealth.” ​ Residential, commercial and industrial retail customers may on a voluntary, opt-in basis select the municipality or other political subdivision as its aggregator, which may not earn a profit but must recover the actual costs incurred in such aggregation. One or more municipalities may aggregate the consumption of electric energy of their governmental buildings, facilities and any other governmental operations. 2000 Session; Chapter 991 . § 56-588 – Licensing of Aggregators The aggregation of the governmental buildings, facilities and any other governmental operations of one or more municipalities does not require a license from the State Corporation Commission. ​ 2003 Session; Chapter 795 . § 56-577 – Schedule for transition to retail competition; Commission authority; exemptions; pilot programs Provides for the State Corporation Commission to develop and implement municipal aggregation pilot programs in an opt-in, opt-out or any other type of municipal aggregation. ​ 2004 Session; Chapter 827 . Introduces the possibility for an opt-out basis, eliminates the requirement that customers must opt in to select such aggregation, and eliminates the requirement that the municipality or other political subdivision may not earn a profit from the aggregation. ​ 2007 Session; Chapter 888 , Chapter 933 . The aggregation is subject to the provisions of subdivision A3 of § 56-577 . ​ Provides that one or more municipalities can aggregate the consumption of electric energy of their governmental buildings, facilities and any other governmental operations “for the purpose of negotiating rates and terms, and conditions of service from the electric utility certificated by the Commission to serve the territory in which such buildings, facilities and operations are located,” and “that no such electric energy load shall be aggregated for this purpose unless all such buildings, facilities and operations to be aggregated are served by the same electric utility.” FAST FACTS In early April, 2022, the Loudoun County finance committee approved anonymously to explore CCA. They will be taking 3-6 months to look carefully at the legal and financial aspects/issues for a pilot to launch. The home of a large concentration of data centers, commercial emissions are of great concern to the community. Many believe a CCA program in the county will enable a dramatic drop in commercial emissions. Virginia Clean Energy is working in Arlington County and Alexandria on initial outreach and education. These communities are considering a feasibility study for a multi-jurisdictional JPA. In 2004 Dominion Virginia Power (DVP) filed an application to implement a Municipal Aggregation Pilot for aggregation of residential and small business customers and a Commercial and Industrial Pilot. The pilots were limited in loads (MW) and in number of customers. In January 2004, 77,491 customers (69,317 residential, 8,104 businesses and 70 churches) volunteered to be part of a buying group selected to receive an offer from an alternative supplier as part of Dominion’s competitive bid supply service pilot, while 1,970 non residential customers volunteered to participate in the commercial and industrial pilot (201 participants were selected for this pilot). Customers could return to Dominion for the electricity supply service at any time at their current rate. The pilots were foreseen to end in July 2007. [ 1 ] INVESTOR OWNED UTILITIES Appalachian Power Dominion Virginia Power Kentucky Utilities STATE AGENCIES RECENT PRESS INFORMATION RESOURCES Virginia Department of Public Utilities CCA-Enabling Legislation: HB 1590 U.S. Energy Information Administration, Virginia State Energy Profile Virginia Clean Energy Virginia Clean Economy Act (2020) ​ ​ ​ Commercial, transportation sectors contributing most greenhouse gases in Loudoun . October 19, 2022, loudountimes.com Loudoun County to Study Green Energy Buying Options . April 28, 2022, loudounnow.com Fairfax County needs community choice aggregation . June 25, 2021, Fairfax County Times C licking Clean Virginia-The Dirty Energy Powering Data Center Alley . Greenpeace.org, February 13, 2019