Plain City Council approves joining NOPEC electricity and natural gas aggregation programs

Plain City Council approved a package of ordinances on April 13 to join the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) and adopt the plans of operation for joint electricity and natural gas aggregation.

Ross McDonald, NOPEC’s director of community expansion, presented the program and told council the electric aggregation program opt‑out period is scheduled for May 15 through June 3 and the natural gas opt‑out window is scheduled for May 28 through June 17. He said NOPEC staff will coordinate with village staff on resident notifications and the opt‑out mechanics.

Council approved Ordinance 08‑2026 (NOPEC membership), Ordinance 09‑2026 (electric plan of operation), Ordinance 10‑2026 (natural gas aggregation agreement) and Ordinance 11‑2026 (natural gas plan of operation). Each motion was seconded and passed by voice vote; minutes record the votes as "all in favor." The ordinances were approved without declaration of emergency because five affirmative votes required for an emergency declaration were not recorded.

Village officials said adopting the plans of operation is a procedural step to allow NOPEC to manage joint purchasing on behalf of member communities while preserving an opt‑out right for residents. The ordinances do not obligate residents to participate; notices and timelines for opting out will be distributed before enrollment.

Next steps: staff will work with NOPEC on resident outreach and the statutory notice period ahead of the opt‑out windows. Any changes to the plan or a formal enrollment schedule would return to council for review.