AN EYE ON
streetlights to energy-efficient LED technology, which has reduced street light energy consumption by 14%. Other projects, which may be funded by NOPEC grant dollars include electrical upgrades, energy-efficient windows and air conditioners, generators, insulation, solar-power LED stop signs and traffic signal upgrades. “We are member-driven, and we are made up of the communities we do business in,” Jankowski says. “Every community in NOPEC has a seat at the table, and they help to legislate us. We like to give our members the credit.” Along with grants for energy-related community projects, NOPEC offers small business loans. A Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) loan is for commercial property owners who are looking to complete a $100,000 to $500,000 energy efficiency or renewNOPEC customers. able energy project. By placSince 2001, NOPEC has ing assessment on the real saved Ohio consumers hunproperty, PACE will extend dreds of millions of dollars on financing anywhere from five their energy costs. It has also to 20 years with interest rates awarded over $40 million in as low at 2.5%. NOPEC community energy “This is a great economefficiency grants, which are ic-development tool that we used to achieve greater enermake available to our small gy efficiency and/or expand businesses,” Jankowski says. Dave Jankowski energy infrastructure. “When businesses find out “Community leaders know about us, about it, they want to get involved. The but most residents do not,” Dave Jan- initial investment can lead to large savkowski, NOPEC’s chief marketing and ings over time on energy bills.” communications officer says. “We proJankowski says he is pleased to work vide grants to communities based on for a company that brings a peace of their average enrollment for one year. mind to its customers by negotiating We give $1 in grants per account en- lower energy rates, advocating for conrolled. We provide dollars for capital sumer-friendly legislation, educating improvements that often communities residents on ways to conserve energy and providing a safe alternative from struggle to find.” Take, for example, the city of Lake- predatory for-profit retail suppliers. “We pride ourselves in taking the wood. According to Jankowski, Lakewood has used $542,263 in NO- seasonal peaks and valleys out of enPEC grants over four years toward its ergy costs,” Jankowski says. “We are streetlight upgrade project. To date, the safe choice. We watch the market so Lakewood has converted 72% of its you don’t have to play the game.”
Energy NOPEC watches the market for price changes. BY THERESA NEUHOFF
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t a recent community festival in Northeast, Ohio, NOPEC (Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council) was at the top of the list of sponsors, which donated funds to make the one-day festival feasible. Electricity was hooked up in the community’s local park to provide amplifiers for bands, lights for tents and power for vendors to keep their pretzels and other goodies warm. In 242 communities across 19 counties in Ohio, NOPEC is there even though you may be unaware. As Ohio’s largest governmental energy aggregator, the nonprofit energy supplier purchases gas and electricity in bulk to help lower utility bills. If your community is a NOPEC member, you may already be enrolled. All eligible residential and small business accounts with a NOPEC member community are automatically enrolled in NOPEC’s natural gas and/or electrical aggregation program. Unless you chose to opt out, you are receiving exclusive utility rates negotiated specifically for
