A representative of the regional energy aggregation (NOPEC) told the Portage County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 2, 2025 that allowing a township to withdraw from the county aggregation should not increase costs for the remaining members provided the notification and planning rules in the aggregation’s governance are followed.

The presenter said an exit by a township — for example the townships that have recently signaled interest — carries “0 impact” on remaining payers when proper notice and procurement timing are observed, and emphasized that the council of governments agreement and the plan of operation and governance require roughly six months’ notice because natural gas and electricity are purchased about six months ahead. The representative added that with proper planning “there’s not a cost” and that administrative fees are intended to cover any costs already incurred if timelines are not observed.

Why it matters: the question of whether a township’s exit would raise costs for the rest of the county’s aggregation was a key concern for local officials considering whether to honor township requests to leave the umbrella aggregate program. The NOPEC representative’s answer addressed that direct financial concern and explained administrative and procedural constraints.

Details and examples provided by the presenter included:
- Historical exits: the presenter said a small number of communities have left the aggregation over the past 15 years and that some later returned; each exit followed a process the presenter described as “the path out.”
- Notice and timing: the governance requires about six months’ notice because the aggregation procures supply roughly six months in advance; that timeline can be adjusted to meet local timelines to avoid cost implications.
- Community investments: the presenter reported that since about 2018 NOPEC funds allocated roughly $2,391,955 into grant programs that supported 152 projects across Portage County communities (examples named: Kent, Garrettsville, Hiram and two Portage County communities receiving township grants).
- PACE and loans: NOPEC assistance included a $119,000 PACE loan for Maniline Corporation and approximately three-quarters of a million dollars for a Craft Metering rehabilitation project in Suffield/Suffolk Township (presenter’s description: about $750,000), and other economic development lending.
- Education and outreach: NOPEC funds programs such as buses to the Great Lakes Science Center and classroom STEM exhibits, and the presenter highlighted energy‑education partnerships and consumer advocacy activities.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about process, financial impact and local outreach; the presenter said staff would contact Shalersville (identified in the discussion as a township expressing interest in leaving) to discuss options and review the exit process. The presenter also described communicating with advisors in Columbus and the state attorney general’s office in past exit cases.

The presentation included the representative’s assertion that the aggregation’s value proposition — grant programs, PACE financing and advocacy — differentiated NOPEC from other providers, and that townships and county leaders retain the authority to make exit decisions for their communities. Commissioners did not take formal action on the aggregation during this meeting.

The board heard the NOPEC presentation as part of the meeting’s miscellaneous and public comment items; questions about costs, notice periods and community grants were discussed publicly on the record.