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Council rejects NOPEC green community choice plan after concerns about opt-out confusion
Summary
The Mentor-on-the-Lake City Council voted down a resolution to enroll the city in a NOPEC green community choice electricity aggregation program after council members raised concerns that opt-out notices and default plan settings could confuse seniors and other residents.
The Mentor-on-the-Lake City Council voted down Resolution 2025-R-36, a proposal to enroll the city in a Northeast Ohio public energy council (NOPEC) green community choice aggregation program starting in June 2026, after a lengthy public and council debate.
Council members expressed concern that the outreach and opt-out notices associated with community aggregation programs can be confusing and could result in residents, particularly seniors and less tech-savvy households, being moved into a different rate plan without clear understanding. "I don't want to add one single extra dollar onto a resident right now," the mayor said during debate, adding she would "not support this." Several other council members echoed concerns about the default enrollment and the potential for confusion.
Kyla, a NOPEC representative who spoke to council during the meeting, said NOPEC is a council of governments formed under the Ohio Revised Code and that rate options and program details are publicly available. "Our prices are very transparent," Kyla said, and she noted residents can call NOPEC's customer care center 24/7 for help switching plans or understanding opt-out notices.
When the council called the roll on the motion for passage, the resolution failed on a 1-6 vote: Miss Wong voted Aye; Missus Moore, Missus Thompson, Mister Gray, Mister Bittner and Mister Lander voted No; the presiding official also voted No.
Supporters of the resolution said adopting a green community choice program could send a demand signal and help the city meet sustainability goals in its comprehensive plan, while opponents said those goals should not come at the risk of imposing higher net costs or confusing enrollment mechanics on residents.
The failed resolution was tabled at a prior meeting and was brought back for consideration with public comment and a NOPEC representative present. Council did not direct staff to pursue an alternative energy aggregation option at this meeting.
