NOPEC Term Glossary Guide
Use this glossary to better understand energy-related terms and definitions
Aggregator
An organization that negotiates with producers of a utility service on behalf of consumers to distribute the utility at smaller volumes while retaining the economic advantages of a high-volume purchase.
Competitive Retail Electric Service (CRES) Provider
A retail electric service provider that is certified by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) and competes for your business by offering alternative competitive prices, renewable energy options or other services and incentives.
Competitive Retail Natural Gas Service (CRNGS) Provider
A retail natural gas service provider that is certified by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) and competes for your business by offering alternative competitive prices, renewable energy options or other services and incentives.
Energy Efficiency Financing
Financial loans or grants that are given to organizations, businesses, manufacturers, schools, non-profits, and local government to make energy-efficient improvements such as replacing windows, upgrading insulation, or updating heating and cooling systems.
Kilowatt Hour (kWh)
A unit of measurement commonly used as a billing unit of energy delivered to consumers by electric utilities. Kilowatt hour is a derived unit of energy equal to 3.6 megajoules. If the energy is being transmitted or used at a constant rate (power) over a period of time, the total energy in kilowatt-hours is the product of the power in kilowatts and the time in hours.
Local Electric Utility
The local company that delivers your electricity to your home or business.
NOPEC
NOPEC is an energy aggregation in Ohio that provides competitive energy cost savings to residents and small businesses using a buy in bulk method.
NOPEC Community
Hundreds of thousands of customers across 200+ communities are currently enrolled in NOPEC’s natural gas and electric aggregation programs. Eligible members of these communities are automatically enrolled into the aggregation and are receiving competitive rates negotiated specifically for NOPEC customers.
Price to Compare (PTC)
The price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) that your electric distribution company will charge to provide generation if you receive default service.
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Loan
If you are a small business in a NOPEC member community, you can apply for a PACE loan. NOPEC’s PACE loan program offers fixed interest rates as low as 2.5%, long term financing, and the ability to pass payments through to the tenants of a building. PACE loan projects include energy efficiency projects like HVAC upgrades, and new windows, doors, roofs, or lighting. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 and you can pick your own qualified and licensed contractor.
Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO)
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio is the public utilities commission of the U.S. state of Ohio, charged with the regulation of utility service providers such as those of electricity and natural gas.
Savings Through Efficiency Program (STEP) Loan
NOPEC’s Savings Through Efficiency Program (STEP) offers loans ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 to commercial property owners. This program provides a fixed interest rate of 3% for up to 10 years for qualifying energy efficiency and renewable projects in NOPEC member communities. Qualifying projects include HVAC, windows, roofing, doors, insulation and more.
Standard Choice Offer (SCO)
The SCO is a regulated price available to all consumers. It is set by the competitive auction overseen by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) and is based on the market price of natural gas. The SCO usually adjusts on a monthly basis.
Standard Service Offer (SSO)
When changing plans, the Standard Service Offer (SSO) rate may be charged for up to two months while arrangements are made for gas supply through the new plan. The SSO uses the same rate as the SCO.
