Frequently Asked Questions

The City has offered residents and small businesses in Shaker Heights the option to participate in an opt-out electric aggregation program since 2001, when the City joined the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC). In November 2000, Shaker Heights voters passed by 77 percent a ballot measure that authorized the City to offer an opt-out electric aggregation program.

As part of its ongoing sustainability efforts, the City elected to offer its own opt-out electric aggregation program. This program provides 100 percent renewably-sourced or “green” electric supply for eligible customers in Shaker Heights. This program replaced the City’s t electric aggregation program with NOPEC.

A 100 percent green opt-out program is the default for electric supply for any resident or small business that does not pro-actively elect another option. Creating a 100 percent green opt-out program has furthered the City’s intentions of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to address the climate crisis and aligns with recent initiatives such as our LEED for Cities certification and Power a Clean Future Ohio.

The program was available to eligible customers starting in June of 2023.

In the current market for renewable energy, 100 percent renewable electric power supply must be provided for an independent aggregation program, like the City has created, through the purchase of Renewable Energy Credits (RECS). Ultimately, the City hopes to source power from newly-built renewable energy projects, ideally within the State of Ohio. There is currently more demand than supply for large renewable projects in Ohio, so it may take several years before this is possible.

Until these new projects are available, the City will contract for Renewable Energy Credits. This means that for every electron used in the program, a corresponding electron was generated through wind or solar somewhere in the U.S. and fed into the electric grid. Since there is no difference in electrons, a REC is how we establish that the electrons we are using have been offset by renewably-generated ones somewhere on the grid. This is verified by an independent third party.

The City’s supplier has purchased, on the City's behalf, national wind Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) to cover 100% of the electric supply of participating customers in the City. These RECs ensure that the dollars participants spend on their electric supply go to support the further development of green energy infrastructure.

Note: The program is only open to eligible customers in Shaker Heights.

The following customers are eligible for the City's aggregation program:

• Customers currently enrolled in the City’s aggregation program; and
• Customers on the CEI standard service offer.

The following customers are NOT eligible for the program:

• Customers on Percentage of Income Payment Plan (“PIPP”)
• Large commercial customers
• Customers on a contract with an electric supplier

Eligible customers receive an “opt-out” notice every two years with information about the electric aggregation program. Eligible customers that do not opt out by following the instructions in this notice are automatically be enrolled in the program 21 days after receiving this notice. 

This program is optional. Eligible customers who do not want to participate in the program should follow the instructions in the opt out notice or customers may leave the program at any time they wish once enrolled. 

If you do not receive an opt-out notice, you are not eligible for the program. If you believe this is an error, or you are a new resident, or newly in your current home, contact the City at 216-491-1440.

You will have to terminate your contract early or wait until your contract ends and then enroll in the City’s electric aggregation program. Please note that some suppliers charge an early-termination fee.   

No. Customers may leave the program at any time. There is no early termination fee.

When voters passed the ballot measure in November 2000, they authorized the City to form an opt-out electric aggregation program. Under Ohio law, an opt-out governmental aggregation program automatically enlists customers who are eligible without any action by the customers, after the required notice is sent out to them. This results in a large “buying group” that can negotiate for better rates than individual customers.

The City's rate for its electric aggregation program can be found on the City's webpage: Electric Aggregation Program

Not necessarily. The City has seen with its own electric service for its facilities, which the City has bid out independently, that 100 percent green power has been very competitive, and even lower in cost, than non-green power offerings. Additionally, the City does not charge any overhead or marketing expenses to keep the rates as low as possible.

Yes, with the City aggregation program supplier, Dynegy, the subsidiary of Vistra, net metering is supported through the City's aggregation program. Call Dynegy at 888-682-2170.