Energy Programs > CCAO

 

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County Commissioners Association Energy Programs (CCAO)


Program Overview

Natural Gas & Electric Programs - County Commissioners Association of Ohio Energy Solutions

  • The County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAOSC) partnered with Palmer Energy Company to help manage a natural gas and electric program for member counties. This program was designed specifically to help counties save money on their natural gas and electric bills by utilizing the strength of group buying.  By joining together, counties can leverage their buying power when shopping the market, thus securing the best deals possible.  The independent energy professionals at Palmer Energy Company, on behalf of the CCAOSC, obtained the best price for natural gas and electricity from various reputable suppliers through the RFP process.  Township facilities can also participate in this program.
  • Currently there are 55 of the 88 Ohio counties participating in the CCAOSC program

Program Management Team

  • Suzanne Dulaney Executive Director CCAO (614) 220-7977

  • Kirk Mizerek, Executive Vice President of Palmer Energy Company (614) 600-0603
  • Bill Bradish, Palmer Energy (419) 539-9180
  • Amy Hoffman, Palmer Energy (419) 539-9180
  • Bob Snavely, Palmer Energy (419) 539-9180

 

Electric Government Aggregation Program

Program Overview

  • In 2010 the CCAOSC received requests from counties and townships to assist with placing opt-out electric governmental aggregation on the ballot to save their consumers money. In response to these requests, the CCAOSC created an electric governmental aggregation program. Palmer Energy works one on one with the counties, townships or villages to facilitate the steps needed to successfully put the aggregation on the ballot and complete the necessary paperwork to ensure residents receive savings.
  • Currently there are 145 electric governmental aggregations in the CCAOSC program.

Snapshot of Governmental Aggregation

  • According to Ohio law, communities are allowed to bring their citizens together to buy electricity as a group and negotiate the terms, conditions and price of the electric supply on the group’s behalf.  This type of group buying is an effective way to obtain a lower electricity rate for all the group members.
  • Most governmental aggregation programs are structured so that all eligible residents and small business customers in the community are automatically enrolled.  Residents, who don’t want to participate, must then actively “opt-out” of the program – which means they choose not to be included.  An opt-out program can only be implemented if a majority of the voters approve the ballot issue in a primary of general election.  The ballot issue must be submitted to the county Board of Elections at least 90 days before the election.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is governmental aggregation?
      • Governmental aggregation is an easy and effective way for a large group of consumers to save money on their electric bills.  Ohio law allows for communities – such as townships, cities, villages and counties – to form aggregated buying groups to purchase electric generation on behalf of their citizens.  By bringing citizens together, the aggregation gains group buying power and typically can negotiate a better price with the supplier than each aggregation group member could have negotiated individually.  The governmental aggregator chooses the electric generation supplier for all of the customer-members in its group.  On Election Day, your community will have the issue of electric aggregation on the ballot.  By voting FOR electric aggregation, you will allow your locally elected officials to purchase electric generation at a discounted rate for your community.
  • How do residents join a governmental aggregation program?
      • First, the governmental aggregation issue must be placed on the ballot and then passed by a majority of the voters.  Once passed, all eligible residents and small businesses in the community will be enrolled and will begin receiving the discounted generation pricing under the program.  Residents do not need to do anything to join the program.  However, anyone who does not want to participate in the program can easily opt out by returning a form, which will be mailed to all eligible members.
      • What does opt out mean?
      • Since all eligible residents are automatically enrolled in the governmental aggregation program, those residents who do not want to participate are given the opportunity to opt out.  By returning the opt-out form by the due date, which is included in a letter that is mailed to all eligible residents, residents can choose not to be enrolled as an electric generation customer with the community’s competitive electric generation supplier.
  • What happens if I do not send in the opt-out form?
      • Governmental aggregation is designed so it is easy for residents to save money on their electric bills.  So, if you do not return the opt-out form postmarked by the due date, you will be included in the community’s governmental aggregation program and will begin receiving competitively priced electricity from the community’s competitive electric generation supplier.
  • Can I opt out of the program at a later date?
      • Yes, you will be sent a notice at least every three years asking if you wish to remain in the program.  At  that point, you may opt out at no cost.  However, if you leave the program at any other time for any reason other than moving, you might be subject to a small cancellation fee from the supplier.
  • What are my energy supply choices if I decide to opt out?
      • You can stay with your current electric utility, which will continue to supply your electricity as it always has, or can shop for an alternative generation supplier.  A list of competitive electric suppliers certified by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and their current prices is available by calling 1-800-686-PUCO (1-800-686-7826).
  • If I join the community’s electric aggregation program, who will deliver my power, read my meter and respond to emergencies, such as power outages?
      • Your local electric utility will be responsible for the delivery of power to your home or business.  Since your local utility still owns the wires and poles that deliver power to you, it will continue to read your meter and restore power after an outage.

 

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