Senator Smith, Representative Brennan, and Representative Klopfenstein were presented with the award on November 12, 2025, by Chuck Keiper, NOPEC’s Executive Director and CEO while Senator Chavez received the award on November 18, 2025, at NOPEC’s annual General Assembly Meeting. These leaders have shown strong commitment to energy reform, consumer protection, and competitive markets through their work on legislation and advocacy for transparency and reliability in the state's energy sector.
HB 15 provides consumers with increased transparency when it comes to energy prices in the state. In addition, the bill is set to improve Ohio’s energy infrastructure by providing reduced tax rates that will allow new generation sites to open across Ohio. SB 2 also makes improvements to the state’s energy market such as encouraging competition within the market and preventing hidden fees on customers’ bills.
Advocacy and consumer protection are a core component of NOPEC’s mission as the state’s largest government energy aggregation serving 249 Ohio communities. The Energy Champion Award was established to honor leaders who embody these priorities and work tirelessly to advance policies that safeguard Ohio energy consumers. “We are honored to recognize the efforts of all the Energy Champion Award winners,” said NOPEC Executive Director Chuck Keiper. “When leaders work together to pass pro-consumer energy laws that protect Ohio ratepayers, it’s truly worth celebrating. Both pieces of legislation will benefit the average consumer while also improving the energy market,” Keiper added.
"This is a true honor to receive this distinguished recognition for working to advance Ohio.
This historic legislation addresses several major topics that even individually could be considered daunting. Protecting rate payers through increasing scrutiny through the PUCO while setting the stage for economic development are two of the major themes. Ohio is blessed with tremendous natural resources.
-Senator Brian Chavez
Mayor Bill Koons, NOPEC's Board Chair
Senator Brian Chavez (R-Marietta) and Chuck Keiper,
NOPEC’s Executive Director & CEO
"The passage of HB 15 signaled a new day in Ohio government, and the winners are everyday Ohioans. The bipartisan legislation enacts historic consumer protections which will keep dollars in people's pockets. I was proud to work alongside NOPEC, other energy policy advocates and dedicated Legislators from both parties to help deliver this win. I hope it is the first of many. I appreciate that the Energy Champion Award acknowledges everyone's hard work and am grateful to NOPEC for its consideration."
-Senator Kent Smith
Josh Burns, NOPEC's Director of Government Affairs,
Senator Kent Smith (D-Euclid) and Chuck Keiper,
NOPEC's Executive Director & CEO.
"I have always believed that government should be on the side of the people, not powerful special interests. That's why I've worked so hard on energy reform - to increase transparency, strengthen competition, and put more money back into the pockets of hardworking Ohioans. I am honored to receive this award from NOPEC, and I will continue to fight every day for policies that protect consumers and ensure fairness in our energy markets."
Representative Sean Brennan (D-Parma), and Chuck
Keiper, NOPEC's Executive Director & CEO.
Representative Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland), and Chuck
Keiper, NOPEC's Executive Director & CEO.
"This award is a great honor. But we couldn't have reached this point alone. I want to express my gratitude to Chairman Holmes, Chairman Chavez, Speaker Huffman, and President McColley for their leadership and guidance throughout this process. It's crucial that we collaborate to provide our constituents with reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy, both now and in the future."
-Representative Roy Klopfenstein
