Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

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Residents in Navarre must make electric decision by September 22

COLUMBUS, Ohio, September 6, 2005 - The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), the residential utility advocate, alerts Ohio Edison residential customers who live in the Village of Navarre about an electric aggregation decision that must be made by September 22. Residents should have received information in the mail from their local government about how to join, remain in or withdraw from the community buying group. The mailing also provides details about the rate being offered by FirstEnergy Solutions, the company chosen by government officials to supply electricity as part of the aggregation program.

What is an opt-out aggregation program?

Aggregation is the process of joining consumers together as a group to buy electricity. Consumers are automatically included in the buying group unless they "opt out," or withdraw, from the program. Government aggregation programs must include the following steps:

The local government must adopt an ordinance or resolution and place the issue on the ballot so residents may vote on it.
Once the issue is approved, the government must then adopt a plan to address how the aggregation program will work and hold two public meetings about the plan.
Government officials then choose an electric supplier to serve their residents at a specified rate.
When the supplier has been chosen, a letter is sent to eligible residents informing them of the supplier rate, terms and conditions of the offer and the deadline to opt out of the program.

What does this mean for residents?

Residents of Navarre voted in favor of their community aggregating its electric service on a ballot issue in May 2003.
Consumers who have chosen a supplier on their own are not included in the buying pool and should not receive information about the aggregation program.
Eligible residents should have received information in the mail about the supplier and the rate being offered.
Navarre residents who are eligible to participate will be automatically included in the program and served by FirstEnergy Solutions unless they withdraw from the program by September 22.
After the opt-out deadline, consumers who do not withdraw from the program will receive a confirmation letter from Ohio Edison notifying them of their new supplier.
Consumers can withdraw from the program within seven days of the postmark date on the confirmation letter at no cost.
Any cancellation after that seven days results in a $25 fee.
Whether residents participate in the buying group or not, Ohio Edison will continue to deliver electricity to their homes, repair poles and wires and send customers their monthly bills.

What should consumers do now?

The OCC is offering the following tips for residents:

Carefully read the information that was mailed to you from your local government, including the rate and terms and conditions of the agreement with FirstEnergy Solutions. Residents can contact FirstEnergy Solutions toll free at 1-866-636-3749 for more information.
If you do not wish to be included in your community's buying pool, you must mail back the opt-out card, postmarked by September 22.
If you are an eligible customer, you do not need to do anything to participate in your community's buying pool. You will be switched automatically to FirstEnergy Solutions.
Keep all information sent by your local government and FirstEnergy Solutions for future reference.
If you have misplaced or have not received the opt-out notice and do not wish to participate in your community's buying pool, call FirstEnergy Solutions to ask how to remove yourself from the group.

Residential consumers can contact the OCC toll free at 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) or at www.pickocc.org to request more information about the aggregation process or energy choice programs.

About the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), the residential utility consumer advocate, represents the interests of 4.5 million households in proceedings before state and federal regulators and in the courts. The state agency also educates consumers about electric, natural gas, telephone and water issues and resolves complaints from individuals. To receive utility information, brochures, schedule a presentation or file a utility complaint, residential consumers may call 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) toll free in Ohio or visit the OCC website at www.pickocc.org.