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NOPEC outlines programs, grants and local lending for Trumbull County communities
Summary
Representatives from NOPEC described energy-aggregation services, grant programs and several financing products — including a planned 120-megawatt solar purchase agreement and residential/commercial PACE-style loans — and urged Trumbull County officials to consider the council for future bids and partnerships.
Representatives from NOPEC (the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council) presented the organization’s programs and local partnership options to the Trumbull County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 13.
NOPEC officials described the council as a regional government aggregation that serves nearly 249 communities across Ohio and said its mission is to educate, create and advocate for member communities. A NOPEC speaker said the organization returns grant dollars to member jurisdictions, provides energy-education programs for schools and offers financing products for public and private projects.
Why it matters: The presentation outlined several programs county officials said could reduce energy costs, fund efficiency upgrades and support local economic development. County staff and commissioners were given the NOPEC annual report and an overview of grant, lending and community programs.
Details from the presentation included: - A proposed purchase agreement in development tied to a reuse project on a former Superfund site: NOPEC described a plan to buy the renewable energy credits for a planned 120-megawatt (nameplate) solar array sited on redeveloped industrial property; NOPEC said it has committed to buying the electric credits while the project ramps up. - Residential and commercial financing: NOPEC described a residential PACE-style pilot for home energy improvements and a commercial lending program that provides loans (NOPEC said governmental entities would be eligible for loans up to $1 million, with rates described in the presentation as roughly in the mid-single digits for shorter terms and competitive over longer terms). NOPEC said its board has seeded an internal pool and that the council has leveraged USDA funds to expand lending capacity. - Grants and community programs: NOPEC said it distributes energy-efficiency grants to members as part of its negotiated agreements with utilities, and that it runs educational programs — including school trips paid for under NOPEC’s education partnerships — and a local foundation that awards small grants to emergency services, food banks and community groups.
NOPEC staff emphasized that the organization claims no profit motive for these community programs and that menu of products ranges from fixed-price energy supply contracts to 100% renewable options, audits for small businesses (NOPEC said it subsidizes most audit costs) and construction lending for energy projects. The presenters also described a database program that helps communities block solicitor activity for residents who opt out of door-to-door solicitations.
Commissioners asked general questions about how grants are allocated to cities and townships and about program timelines. NOPEC representatives said specific grant totals for the city of Warren were available and offered to follow up with written details. NOPEC also offered to participate in a competitive procurement process if the county chooses to solicit proposals.
Ending: NOPEC left the county commissioners with the annual report and contact cards and said staff would follow up with additional details on the solar purchase arrangement, grants and loan products.
