POWELL — Electric aggregation is a go for the city of Powell.
Powell City Council approved two emergency ordinances Tuesday that allow the city to move forward with an electric aggregation program, designed to negotiate electricity rates on behalf of residents.
The city approved a contract with aggregate provider Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC), which will administer the program and help secure an electricity supplier.
The agreement, which carries no cost to the city or residents, outlines a 12-month fixed-term electric supply structure, with negotiated pricing capabilities extending through June 2029.
While an exact rate has not yet been finalized, NOPEC representative Ross McDonald told council the city’s rate will be less than 10 cents per kilowatt-hour. That’s below AEP Ohio’s current generation rate of 10.12 cents per kilowatt-hour.
The program will operate on an opt-out basis, meaning all qualifying residents and businesses within the city will automatically be enrolled unless they opt-out.
Customers with very large energy demands, including major manufacturers and other high-usage commercial accounts, are not eligible for the program.
NOPEC plans to mail opt-out notices around July 22. Recipients will have approximately three weeks to decline participation, though customers may opt out of the program at any time without penalty.
Electric aggregation programs use the collective buying power of residents to negotiate electricity rates with suppliers. The goal is to provide more stable pricing and help protect households from price spikes that can occur during summer and winter months.
Council’s action also approved a plan of operation and governance that will guide how the program is administered, according to City Manager Andy White.
Next steps
Powell is adopting its aggregate program after 64% of voters approved approved the city moving forward in the November election.
Following the vote, city officials issued a request for proposals from electric aggregation providers and received four responses. A review panel unanimously selected NOPEC as its preferred partner.
After two public hearing sessions on Tuesday, the city was ready to adopt the program.
Now that council has OKed the program, NOPEC officials will coordinate with American Electric Power (AEP), which will still maintain power lines and send bills out to customers.
The only thing that will change on AEP bills is the energy supplier.
NOPEC will also organize public education opportunities, including an open house session prior to adoption of the fixed rate, which will come before council in August.
If everything goes smoothly in this next phase, council will approve the aggregation rate at the August meeting, and the program will begin Sept. 1.
Other business: Sidewalk conditions
Council also approved a resolution allowing White to enter into a $67,000 agreement with Pavement Management Group for pavement and sidewalk condition collection, analysis and mapping.
The city evaluates the condition of all city-owned streets and shared-use paths on a biennial basis, according to a memo from White to council.
Pavement Management Group previously performed the service in 2021, 2022 and 2024.
The assessment and mapping helps the city’s engineering department “make informed decisions when programming the annual Street and Path Maintenance Program,” according to the memo.
“The newly-acquired sidewalk conditions ratings will be used to determine a recommended path forward for policy considerations for maintenance responsibility, budgeting and programming for City owned sidewalks,” the memo stated.
Council will not meet July 7 due to several council members being absent.
