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NOPEC presents opt‑out natural‑gas aggregation; Council considers asking voters
Summary
NOPEC explained an opt‑out natural‑gas aggregation proposal on Jan. 20 that would let the City competitively bid gas supply for residents with automatic enrollment and a 21‑day opt‑out window; NOPEC emphasized the City would not assume financial risk and recommended a May ballot timing.
Ross McDonald, Director of Community Expansion at NOPEC, presented an overview of opt‑out natural gas aggregation and recommended that Council ask voters to authorize the program. He said the state‑authorized aggregation would allow the City to pool residential demand to competitively bid gas supply and that customers would be automatically enrolled but retain a 21‑day opt‑out right.
"Customers are automatically enrolled," McDonald said, and he emphasized that residents may opt out at no cost and can leave the program at any time. He described several program features: the City would not purchase gas, set prices or assume financial risk; administration, customer service and opt‑out processing would be handled by the program administrator. NOPEC also offered to provide outreach and resident education before the election and said participation rates in NOPEC programs typically range from 70%–85% in other Lake County communities.
McDonald recommended placing the question on the May ballot (rather than November) to allow the City to form a program in time to procure supply during more favorable purchasing windows. The item was introduced on first reading and will return for further consideration.
