SOPEC wants to reduce energy consumption and increase energy efficiency through aggregation program.
In the coming days, you will receive a notice letter from AEP Ohio confirming your decision to enroll (by default through governmental energy aggregation) in the Southeast Ohio Public Energy Council’s Electric Aggregation Program. Electric aggregation formed in December 2014 by way of passed ballot measures for electric aggregation in the City of Athens and Athens County, with the villages of Trimble and Amesville joining the council shortly thereafter.
Starting with the November billing cycle, as a resident member of electric aggregation under the direction of the Southeast Ohio Public Energy Council, you are receiving a competitive rate on the “generation service” of your bill in addition to reaping the benefits acquired by the pooled purchasing power established as a council of governments. SOPEC elected officials will commit to provide energy efficiency services, supported by a local-labor driven commitment, and the development of local renewable power generation for residents in your community.
Your personal membership in SOPEC’s aggregation program is completely voluntary, even if you live in a city or village contracted with SOPEC for energy aggregation. As mentioned in a letter sent out to all eligible residents at the beginning of the month, Oct. 27 was the deadline to “opt-out” of the program in the current enrollment period. Otherwise, if you did not respond to the letter (marked on Oct. 6) you are now automatically enrolled. As part of the enrollment process you will also receive a notice from your local utility, AEP Ohio, confirming your decision to enroll with AEP Energy (SOPEC’s preferred electricity supply provider). To “opt-out," regardless of missing the chance in this enrollment cycle, you can call AEP Energy’s Customer Care Team toll free at 1-877-726-0214.
Through this aggregation program, exclusive for eligible residents of SOPEC member communities, AEP Energy is able to secure electricity at competitive prices using the pooled purchasing power of SOPEC aggregation. Your new electric price stands at 6.43 cents/KWH (kilowatt hour) for a period of 27 months, a price effective only to the “generation service” portion of your bill. All other charges come from AEP Ohio, which will continue to send you a monthly electric bill and provide services during emergency or maintenance situations, in enrolling in budget billing, or cancelling your contract at any time without fees.
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Under this agreement, SOPEC has the capacity to create other projects that serve members of this council in an effort to save energy and money. Joining SOPEC will benefit the growth of aggregation as a tool to strengthen the bond of communities and help mold an energy transformation in Appalachian Ohio. Joining SOPEC will continue the foundation that currently stands in our communities to create new opportunities to thrive. SOPEC aims to serve Southeast Ohio with a new energy vision: By engaging citizens in energy awareness, our region is poised to catalyze citizen action that reduces energy consumption, increases energy efficiency, spurs technological innovation, and improves long-term economic and environmental sustainability.
Enjoy the benefits of your participation in electric aggregation!
More information and FAQ’s about SOPEC can be found at: www.sopec.net.
Mathew Roberts is a SOPEC outreach associate.
