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Painesville delays vote on opt‑out natural‑gas aggregation after residents raise access concerns
Summary
Council debated an opt‑out natural gas aggregation resolution and heard that some neighborhoods are not served by the larger competitive suppliers; a motion to suspend rules failed 4‑2, so the matter will proceed to a third reading and public hearings on Feb. 17.
Council discussion and public comment on Feb. 2 left Painesville’s proposed opt‑out natural gas aggregation measure on track for another hearing rather than immediate adoption.
Ross McDonald, Director of Community Expansion for NOPEC (the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council), summarized how an opt‑out aggregation would work: residents not under an existing contract could be enrolled automatically and would have a 21‑day window to opt out, with NOPEC offering stable, predictable pricing and no termination fees for customers who later choose to leave. McDonald described NOPEC as a nonprofit governmental entity that administers aggregation programs and provides consumer education and a call center.
Council members asked whether NOPEC could match open‑market individual rates and how the City would manage any political or consumer backlash if aggregate rates were unfavorable. McDonald said the program brings customers transitioning off contracts into aggregation and that participation levels and pricing dynamics depend on the market and the chosen supplier or broker.
Ray Sternot, president of the Heisley Park HOA, told council he had checked with the Ohio PUCO and found Energy Choice participation is optional for gas utilities; only four large gas companies in Ohio currently participate. He said many Heisley Park and Encore Estates residents are not served by those companies, meaning they would not benefit from aggregation unless those utilities change participation or alternative suppliers are secured. He asked the City to consider outreach to suppliers or legislative changes to expand participation.
Law Director Jim Lyons clarified that adopting the resolution to put an opt‑out question on the ballot would not obligate the City to sign a contract with NOPEC; it would only authorize placing the question before voters, and any program implementation would follow statutory public‑hearing requirements and additional council decisions. A motion to suspend rules failed on a 4‑2 vote (DiNallo and Shoop opposed), so the resolution will be considered again at its third reading and public hearing on Feb. 17.
