Jackson Township Electric Aggregation Program - Frequently Asked Questions

(Updated September 2023)

AEP Ohio Customers
Program Supplier Supplier Phone Program Rate Term Termination Fee
Energy Harbor 866-636-3749 6.86 cents/kWh Aug 2023 - Aug 2025 None

 

Ohio Edison Customers
Program Supplier Supplier Phone Program Rate Term Termination Fee
Energy Harbor 866-636-3749 6.99 cents/kWh Dec 2023 -Aug 2025 None

What is aggregation?

Under governmental aggregation, local officials bring citizens together to gain group buying power for the purchase of competitively priced electricity from a retail electric generation supplier certified by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

How is the Township able to choose a certified electric generation supplier on my behalf? In November 2010, Jackson Township residents voted to allow the Township to contract for an electric generation supplier on their behalf.

Who will be our supplier for the electric program?

Residents in both the Ohio Edison and the AEP Ohio service territory will be supplied by Energy Harbor, a PUCO certified electric marketer from Akron, Ohio. Energy Harbor offers a wide range of energy and related products and services, including the generation and sale of electricity and energy planning and procurement.  They have years of experience serving electric programs like ours across Ohio.

Whom do I call if I have a problem with my electric service?

Your local utility will continue to deliver your electricity, read your meters, and issue your monthly bills.  You will continue to call the local utility for emergency repairs, downed power lines, billing questions, etc.

Utility Company Utility Contact Phone
AEP Ohio 800-672-2231
Ohio Edison 888-544-4877

 

How will I know if I can save money in this Program?

You’ll know you are saving money as long as the program rate is lower than the local utility’s price-to-compare (PTC) which is listed on the bill you receive from the utility each month.

Is our price for power fixed, or does it vary?

Jackson Township’s program offers a fixed-rate that will stay the same each month, giving residents budget stability and protection from rising rates:

  • Residents in the AEP Ohio service territory have a rate of 6.86 cents/kWh that runs from August 2023 to August 2025.
  • Residents in the Ohio Edison territory have a rate of 6.99 cents/kWh that runs from December 2023 to August 2025.

If I opt-out and return to the utility’s default supply, am I able to join the program later?

Opting out at the start of the term does not prevent you from joining later.  The program supplier has informed us that they will allow residents to contact them and enroll after the initial enrollment period.

What if I’m with another supplier and would like to join the Township’s program?

The program supplier has informed us that they will allow residents to contact them and enroll after the initial enrollment period.  If you are leaving an agreement with another supplier to join the program, please be aware of any potential early termination fees or notice requirements in your current agreement.

What are my energy supply choices if I decide to opt out?

You can receive your generation supply from your electric utility, or you can shop for a new competitive electric supplier. A list of competitive electric suppliers certified by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and their current prices is available at energychoice.ohio.gov or by calling     1-800-686-PUCO (1-800-686-7826).

Will I get two bills?

No. You will continue to receive one bill from your local utility that shows their distribution charges and the supply charge from Energy Harbor.

Will I still receive a delivery charge from my local utility?

Yes.  Even though you have chosen a new supplier of electricity, your local utility (AEP Ohio or Ohio Edison) continues to deliver the electricity to our homes and businesses.  Distribution charges and a flat monthly customer charge apply whether you choose a supplier on your own or remain supplied by the local utility.

Can I stay on budget billing/equal payment plan or have my payment automatically deducted from my checking account as I do now?

Yes, your local utility will continue to offer those programs. However, budget billing applies only to charges from the local utility. The budget billing program does not apply to your charges from Energy Harbor. On your monthly utility statement, you’ll receive a charge from Energy Harbor for generation supply based on your actual usage and transmission.

Can I exit this program without penalty?

You will be given an initial 21-day period to opt-out free of charge and then another 7-day period as soon as the program supplier enrolls you as their customer. Then, by law, you will be given a chance to opt-out free of charge at least once every 3 years. A nice feature of Jackson Township’s program is that it enables you to leave free of charge at any time for any reason.

I received a letter from the Local Utility after the 21-day enrollment period, what do I do?

That computer-generated letter from the Utility is sent anytime a customer changes its electric supplier.  It’s known as a confirmation letter and it provides you a 7-day window to rescind the recent supplier enrollment.  If you want to stay in the program, simply ignore that letter.

What if I move?

There is no penalty from the program supplier for terminating your agreement if you move.

Who is eligible for the program?

  1. Your local utility company must be Ohio Edison or AEP Ohio;
  2. You must be a resident or business owner located within the unincorporated Township limits;
  3. You must not be a PIPP (percentage of income payment program) customer;
  4. You must not be in arrears on your bill payment;
  5. You must not be a mercantile customer (commercial accounts using over 700,000 kWh/year);
  6. You must not be a commercial customer with a peak demand > 100 kW; and
  7. Your name must not appear on the State’s “Do Not Aggregate” list.

How will I sign up for the program?

There is no signup required.  Residents, however, will have 21 days to opt-out of the program if they decide not to participate. If you receive an opt-out letter it will explain the rates, terms and conditions and means for opting-out. If you would like to remain in the program, simply do nothing and you will be enrolled.

Will small businesses, schools and churches be eligible?

Yes.  All small commercial accounts using less than 700,000 kWh/year and with a peak demand < 100 kW are eligible. Interested accounts using more than this amount, will need to call the program supplier to obtain this rate.

Does this affect my distribution charges or the wires coming to my home?

No.  Customer Choice programs in Ohio provide residents the ability to choose an electric supplier other than the local utility company.  Maintenance of the wires coming to a resident’s home continues to be the responsibility of the homeowner.

Can I opt out over the phone?

Yes. You may call Energy Harbor toll free at 866-636-3749 to opt-out of the program.

What is the toll-free number for questions?

For answers to your questions, please call Energy Harbor at 866-636-3749, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Is this related to the Stark County natural gas program?

The programs are similar but totally independent.  You do not have to belong to one to participate in the other.

Where can I learn more about electric deregulation and assistance programs?

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has approved additional assistance programs to help customers with their energy bills.  You may be eligible to participate in other programs and still participate in the Jackson Township Aggregation Program.  Eligibility and enrollment information for those other assistance programs can be found on the PUCO’s website at  www.puco.ohio.gov.