Electric Aggregation

If you are an eligible resident or small business in Upper Arlington, you will automatically be enrolled in the SOPEC Electric Aggregation Program for the City of Upper Arlington. 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 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, do not worry, you can also choose to leave the program at any time for free. If you would like to leave, you can call Customer Care at 1-877-648-1937 and will be returned to AEP Ohio’s standard service offer rate.

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 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 in the SOPEC Electric Aggregation Program for the City of Upper Arlington. 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 Upper Arlington rate instead of AEP Ohio’s standard service offer rate.

No. You will continue to receive just one 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 Upper Arlington rate.

Residents and small businesses always have the choice to exit the program. You can also choose to leave the program at any time for free. If you would like to leave, you can call Customer Care at 1-877-648-1937 and will be returned to AEP Ohio’s standard service offer rate.

The SOPEC Electric Aggregation Program for the City of Upper Arlington only impacts the supply portion of your electricity service. AEP Ohio will continue to deliver electricity to all program participants and it will manage the wires and other infrastructure. The supplier or source of the electricity will be determined by the SOPEC Electric Aggregation Program for the City of Upper Arlington. Aggregation allows communities like Upper Arlington to negotiate rates collectively, often securing better terms. However, AEP Ohio remains the utility responsible for delivery, service reliability, and other customer service aspects.

Ohio has a deregulated the energy market, meaning you can choose where you buy your electricity generation. For example, you can select to purchase electricity from renewable sources or fossil fuels for your home or business. Some residents may have already selected a supplier for electricity, and you may notice marketers mailing you letters to purchase energy from them. You do not need to purchase energy from these marketers, because currently, AEP Ohio, will automatically provide default electricity supply for you. Importantly, AEP Ohio will continue to provide electricity to your home or business regardless of where you purchase your electricity supply.

SOPEC (Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council) is a non-profit public service organization that the City has partnered with to run Upper Arlington’s electric aggregation program. They go out to market on behalf of Upper Arlington residents to try and get the most competitive supply price.

No, any residents who already have a supply agreement in place (if you chose something on energychoice.ohio.gov) or if you are currently a PIPP customer, you are not opted in.

The main benefit of aggregation is the City of Upper Arlington can achieve a more sustainable electricity supply for our residents by requiring a 100% renewable energy program content at a competitive price for our residents and businesses.

The base power purchased on the open market by AEP Energy for SOPEC comes from various sources. However, all SOPEC communities also utilize what are called Renewable energy certificates (or credit) (“RECs”) to obtain electric aggregation programs featuring 100% renewable energy. SOPEC utilizes what are known as Green-e® RECs, which are the gold standard RECs and predominantly are made up of Midwest wind SOPEC and AEP Energy investigate the RECs to ensure 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.