Frequently Asked Questions

If you are an eligible resident in the City of Gahanna, you should be automatically be enrolled in the Gahanna Energy Plus. If you were not automatically enrolled but would like to opt-in, you can call AEP Energy Customer Care at 1-877-648-1937 and request to be added to Gahanna's Municipal Aggregation Program.  The Customer Service team will enroll you at no cost and your rate will be updated on your next full billing cycle. 

If you are an eligible resident in the City of Gahanna, you will automatically be enrolled in the SOPEC Electric Aggregation Program. You do not need to take any action. However, you will receive a joint notice from the City and SOPEC which will detail the electric aggregation program’s terms.

If you decide the program is not right for you, you have the option to opt-out. Upon receiving the joint notice from SOPEC, AEP Energy, and the City, you will be given a 21-day window to make your decision. Instructions for opting out will be clearly outlined in the notice. If you miss the 21-day window, you can also choose to leave the program at any time without penalty. If you would like to opt-out, you can call AEP Energy Customer Care at 1-877-648-1937 and will be returned to AEP Ohio’s standard service offering.

You can also choose your own supplier by visiting Energy Choice Ohio's website.

While the default option for the program is 100% Renewable Energy, there is a “brown” fossil fuel energy rate available. To enroll in this option, you will need to call AEP Energy Customer Care at 1-877-648-1937.

The main change you will notice is the electricity supplier’s name listed on your bill will say AEP Energy when you are entered into the SOPEC Electric Aggregation Program for the City of Gahanna. AEP Energy is SOPEC’s supplier. Additionally, the rate charged for your electricity supply will be based on the SOPEC Electric Aggregation Program for the City of Gahanna rate instead of AEP Ohio’s standard service offer rate.  

No. You will continue to receive the same electric bill from AEP Ohio as you always have. The only difference is that SOPEC’s supplier, AEP Energy, will be listed as your electricity supplier instead of your previous supplier. When in the program, your electricity supply rate will be based on the SOPEC Electric Aggregation Program for the City of Gahanna rate.

Residents always have the choice to opt-out the program. You can also choose to leave the program at any time at no cost. If you would like to opt-out, you can call Customer Care at 1-877-648-1937 and will be returned to AEP Ohio’s standard service offer rate.

The Community Choice Aggregation Program for the City of Gahanna only impacts the supply portion of your electricity service. AEP Ohio will continue to deliver electricity to all residents in Gahanna regardless of who their chosen supplier is.  In addition, AEP will continue manage all electrical infrastructure (lines and poles etc.). The electricity supplier or generator is determined by SOPEC on behalf of the City of Gahanna. Aggregation allows communities like Gahanna to negotiate rates collectively and often securing better terms.  AEP Ohio remains the utility responsible for delivery, service reliability, and other customer service aspects.

In 1999, with Senate Bill 3, Ohio deregulated the energy market, meaning customers could choose who you buy your electricity generation or supply from.  This legislation paved the way for Community Choice Aggregation (CAA) programs. Some residents may already participate in selecting their supplier or you may have noticed marketers mailing you letters to purchase energy from them. In Ohio it is your choice to purchase from one of these marketers, stay with AEP Ohio as your default supplier, or participate in the Community Choice Aggregation Program offered by SOPEC and the City of Gahanna.  For more information on selecting your own supplier please visit https://energychoice.ohio.gov/ApplesToApples.aspx. Please note you may select your own natural gas provider through this site also.

Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council (SOPEC) is a public service organization that the City has partnered with to run Gahanna’s electric aggregation program. SOPEC goes to the market on behalf of Gahanna residents to get the most competitive supply price.   SOPEC represents many other local governments throughout Ohio in an effort to bring reliable, cost effective, renewable energy, to residents and small businesses.

Any residents who already has a supply agreement in place (if you chose something on energychoice.ohio.gov) or if you are currently a PIPP customer, you are not automatically opted in.  You may opt-in at any time at no cost. by calling Customer Care at 1-877-648-1937.

The base power purchased on the open market by AEP Energy for SOPEC comes from various sources. SOPEC utilizes what are known as Green-e® RECs, (renewable energy certificates) which are the gold standard RECs.  SOPEC and AEP Energy investigate the RECs to ensure there are no environmental or fishery concerns. Carbon-free is a different concept and includes nuclear sources. SOPEC only utilizes wind, solar, and hydropower for its RECs.

https://www.green-e.org/long-rec-disclosure 

There are two parts to a utility bill- the delivery fee and the supply fee. The delivery fee is set by AEP Ohio and they will remain your electric utility. However, the supply charges will change to AEP Energy once the program is in place.  In the initial enrollment period, you will receive a notice from SOPEC and AEP Energy asking if you would like to opt-out of the aggregation program without charge. All residents will automatically be enrolled in the program unless you opt-out. You will also have the opportunity to leave the program for free at any time if you chose. The notice will have instructions on how to opt-out. 

Any residents who already has a supply agreement in place (if you chose something on energychoice.ohio.gov) or if you are currently a PIPP customer, you are not automatically opted in. You may opt-in at any time at no cost. by calling Customer Care at 1-877-648-1937.

If you want to be enrolled in the City’s program but would prefer to have brown energy (fossil fuels), you can choose the “step-down” option. To enroll in this option, you will need to call the Customer Care Center at 877-648-1937.

We advise that you NOT to sign anything, write down the representative's name, company information, and immediately contact PUCO at 800-686-7876. These companies are not part of the City's community choice aggregation program and could lock you into an unreasonable contract.

If PUCO does confirm an electricity supplier is certified, and you want to change energy suppliers we strongly recommend that you ask a number of questions:

• Are you offering a fixed rate electricity supply contract to me?
• What is that fixed rate price?
• How long will that fixed rate last? 1 month? 6 months? A year?  
• What happens to my initial term expires?
• Are there early termination fees?

You may opt-in or out of the City's Community Choice Aggregation Program at any time and at no cost.  To do so please call the Customer Care Center at 877-648-1937.  If opting out you will be retuned to AEP Ohio’s default Price to Compare.

You may shop for your own Energy Choice supplier by visiting the Energy Choice Ohio website by clicking here.  Please compare the Price to Compare with the cost of the City of Gahanna’s Community Choice Aggregation rate. Please keep these questions in mind:

• Is the supplier offering a fixed or variable rate?
• What is that fixed or variable rate?
• What is the term of the contract? 1 month? 6 months? A year? Longer?
• What happens to my term expires?
• Are there early termination fees or other fees associated with the contract?

Your net metering is not impacted if you join our Community Choice Aggregation Program.  You 1:1 net savings is and will always be maintained. 

Billing remains with AEP Ohio and there are no changes to the billing procedures.  If you are currently on a budget you will remain on the budget.