Athens & Other SOPEC Communities Targeted by Competitive Suppliers

Residents of a community served by the Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council (SOPEC) through the SOPEC Electric Aggregation Program received new generation rates as of June 2021 and are fixed up to June 2023.

Many residential and small commercial electric utility accounts in areas served by SOPEC are now seeing an increase in solicitations from competitive suppliers within Ohio’s electricity supply marketplace.

For example, SOPEC posted on Facebook on September 29, 2020:

“Did you receive this mailing? You can ignore it if you wish to support your local aggregation program with SOPEC. The mailing from CleanChoice Energy is a separate supply product offer that starts at 5.20 cents/kWh and is variable after the 1st month. Residents do NOT need to fill out the CleanEnergy Choice application to participate in the SOPEC program.

SOPEC's electric aggregation program for eligible residential and small commercial accounts located within SOPEC member communities is 4.89 cents per kWh for most communities - Athens is 5.17 cents/kWh (this includes the Athens Carbon Fee) and Albany is at 4.43 cents/kWh - and all communities are receiving 100% renewable energy supply already. SOPEC rates are for generation supply listed on the AEP Ohio bill, are fixed through June 2021, and are supplied by AEP Energy.

With many community members receiving electric service from AEP Energy, the supplier of SOPEC’s electric aggregation program, it’s important to highlight the details of that product before one may decide to choose another product from a competitive supplier or to opt-out to return to the standard service offer (SSO), also called the price-to-compare, provided by the electric distribution utility company, AEP Ohio.

Electric utility accounts served by SOPEC receive 100% renewable energy at a generation price of 5.640 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). The price for the City of Athens is 5.840 cents per kWh, which includes 100% renewable energy supply and the Athens Carbon Fee – a 0.2 cents per kWh fee that is collected specifically to fund solar systems at public facilities within the city. Additionally, each SOPEC customer receives $25 of credit to use at the AEP Energy Reward Store, a one-stop online marketplace where one can shop for energy-saving products.

These prices are fixed until June 2023 when SOPEC and AEP Energy secure a new aggregation program rate based on market conditions at the time of execution. Since activating the June 2021-2023 program, customers in SOPEC communities, especially the City of Athens, have reached out to SOPEC to get clarification on why they are receiving solicitations for electric and natural gas supply and if any marketing efforts are connected to SOPEC.

If you live in the City of Athens and are unsure about these solicitations, you may ask the city staff if the energy supplier has an active “Solicitation/Peddling Application” on file.

SOPEC will never call customers or visit their home asking customers to switch suppliers. Residents that can clearly see on their electric bill that they are paying the SOPEC generation rate provided by AEP Energy can rest easier knowing that they are already receiving a competitive offer through SOPEC.

SOPEC customers may enter into a new service agreement with another competitive supplier, opt-out without fees, or enroll back into the SOPEC program. Above all, SOPEC values choice for its customers and it strives to provide the best choice aligned with the values and goals of the communities it serves.

Have questions? Please reach us at support@sopec-oh.gov or call 740-597-7955 to leave a voicemail and a SOPEC staff member will call you back.