Representatives from the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) presented a proposal Dec. 2 asking the Norton City Council to consider joining NOPEC's electric aggregation program. NOPEC said the city would receive a special product rate for residential electricity and would become eligible for increased community grants and other member benefits.

NOPEC director of community expansion Ross McDonough told the council the offer is "a special program rate through the May 2026 meter read cycle of 6 99' per kilowatt hour." He said the rate was created for communities with previously strong legacy rates and is meant to shield residents from an expected statewide electricity price increase in 2025.

McDonough and relationship manager Genevieve Costanzo said the city now receives about $500 annually from gas-aggregation participation and that, if Norton joins NOPEC under the electric program, that annual amount "would jump up to around 25,000" (as stated to council). NOPEC also offered an early-access membership bonus of an unrestricted $10,000 grant, an annual event-sponsorship benefit (up to $1,500) for dual gas-and-electric members, access to a lending program for small businesses (loans up to $125,000), and competitive grants through the NOPEC Foundation.

Costanzo said residents would retain an explicit choice: enrollment would be opt-out, and NOPEC would send a mailing for about a 20- to 21-day opt-out period. She described NOPEC's customer service as 24/7 and said the organisation has no shareholders and is subject to government-style audits.

Council members asked practical questions about timing and process. A council member identified as Paul asked the proposed start date; NOPEC said the program would begin with the May 2025 meter read cycle if approved and scheduled so current winter rates would not be changed midseason. McDonough said NOPEC would submit a formal proposal to the clerk and that the city's legal counsel would review it.

The council did not vote on the presentation. NOPEC representatives left a written executive summary and said they would provide the formal proposal electronically to the city clerk for distribution to council and legal staff.

Details the council was told: the special product is priced for the May 2026 meter-read cycle; residents would be enrolled on an opt-out basis after a 20- to 21-day notice; the city would not pay for the program or require resident payment to join; and NOPEC offers community grants, loans for small businesses and event sponsorships as described above.

NOPEC provided contact information and said it would send a formal proposal to the clerk for legal review and next steps.