Attorneys Investigating Lawsuits Against NOPEC Over Rate Complaints
Last Updated on June 29, 2022
Important Information
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are no longer investigating this matter. The information here is for reference only. A list of open investigations and lawsuits can be viewed here.
Case Update
- June 29, 2022 – Investigation Closed
- Thank you to everyone who reached out to us in regard to this investigation. Unfortunately, attorneys working with ClassAction.org are no longer looking into this matter due to changes in Ohio law.
If you still have questions about your rights, you may want to reach out to an attorney in your area.
To view our open list of investigations, visit this page. The information below was posted when this investigation began and remains for reference only.
At A Glance
- This Alert Affects:
- Ohio residents and businesses who have their gas and electric through Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) and its supplier, NextEra Energy.
- What’s Going On?
- Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are investigating whether a class action lawsuit can be filed against NOPEC and NextEra in light of reports from consumers of exorbitant rates.
- How Can a Class Action Help?
- A class action lawsuit could help NOPEC and NextEra energy customers get back any money they may have overpaid on their gas and electric bills.
If you have your gas and electric through Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC), attorneys working with ClassAction.org want to hear from you.
They’re investigating whether a class action lawsuit can be filed against the company and its third-party energy supplier in light of complaints about exorbitant rates and higher-than-expected utility bills. Before the attorneys can even consider filing a lawsuit, however, they need to hear from people who feel they were misled by NOPEC’s promised energy savings.
How NOPEC Works: The “Opt-Out” Letter
NOPEC is a non-profit organization that works with NextEra, a third-party energy supplier, to provide gas and electric throughout Northeast Ohio.
NOPEC sends out letters to residents and small businesses stating that they’ve been automatically enrolled in the agency’s energy program, which supposedly offers competitive, low-cost rates. Recipients of the letters are offered the option to opt out by a certain date and are provided instructions on how to do so.
It is suspected, however, that those who stick with NOPEC’s energy program aren’t getting the savings or “worry-free rates” they’ve been promised – and would have been better off opting out and going with another energy supplier.
NOPEC Complaints
Below are just a handful of the complaints that have surfaced online from customers of NOPEC and NextEra [sic throughout].
Received a letter saying if I did nothing I would receive a better rate. Well, just received my bill and price per KW went up. And, I received a $50 charge from First Energy for opting out. So for 50 bucks I get a higher rate- all for doing nothing. What an illegal scam. Now First Energy Will only take me back with a higher rate.”
— Perry K., Google Reviews
I should be paying $52, according to my estimate. I’m being charged $112 because of NOPEC and miscellaneous charges associated with this suppliers fees….This is outrageous. I had no idea it would cost so much, but the bill this month has the $49 Nopec charge plus the $9.60 equipment fee from them also???”
— Mallory, Better Business Bureau
I believe NOPEC is a governement scam. I once was automatically enrolled into the program not knowing and my electric bill doubled. They are charging you for a product they do not even supply. It is a monopoly, for allowing them to buy communities out. If you can, opt out before it is too late. You will be charged double, once from the accual electric company plus thier tax, and the other charge will be from NOPEC and they charge a separate tax fee. SCAM!”
— Michael D., Better Business Bureau
Unfortunately, the practice of promising energy savings and not delivering is not uncommon. Multiple independent energy providers have been accused of exploiting the deregulated market and charging rates that can be up to twice those of public utilities.
How a Class Action Could Help
A class action lawsuit could help NOPEC customers get back some of the money they overpaid for gas and electric. It could also require NOPEC and NextEra to change the way they charge customers.
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