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Richmond Heights advances move to NOPEC ‘Green Community Choice’ electricity aggregation
Summary
Council discussion and an accompanying presentation outlined a plan to make the city’s electricity aggregation default 100% renewable through NOPEC starting June 2026, with residents able to opt out. Officials described the incremental cost as small and noted the change follows a new NOPEC contract with NextEra.
Council members on Nov. 11 received a detailed briefing on a planned move to NOPEC’s Green Community Choice electricity aggregation program and an ordinance (135-2025) for third reading to notify the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council of the city’s intent.
Council president Tony described an eight-year NOPEC contract with NextEra that included more renewable energy credits and would allow the city to set the default aggregation product to be 100% renewable. Tony characterized the incremental cost to customers as minimal and said residents and eligible small businesses will receive opt-out enrollment letters ahead of implementation. "The incremental cost associated with a resident's electric bill will be less than — will be about a dollar and three quarters per month," Tony said during the presentation, and he called the cost "negligible." He also said opt-out instructions will accompany the letters and that electric opt-outs occur on a three-year cycle.
Council discussed features of the program, including how the default enrollment works and whether local large customers such as data centers could affect supply needs; the councilor who asked about data centers sought clarity about load impacts but staff framed the change as a customer-choice default rather than a mandate.
The item advanced to the council with the third reading of Ordinance 135-2025 on the agenda; council members referenced the earlier presentation as background. The transcript records the item being placed on counsel and does not show a final adoption vote in the committee transcript provided.
What’s next: City staff will issue opt-out letters to affected accounts in advance of the June 2026 enrollment change. Council will take final action as required by subsequent readings or council votes on Ordinance 135-2025.
