Cleveland City Council Considers Changes to Cleveland Public Power Rates
Cleveland City Council is reviewing a proposal that would adjust electricity rates and service definitions for the city's municipal utility. Introduced by Council Members Kazy and Griffin, Ordinance No. 1171-2026 seeks to update residential billing schedules and establish new rules for small non-building facilities within the Division of Cleveland Public Power.
What's in the file
The proposed ordinance would amend Chapter 523 of the Codified Ordinances of Cleveland to change how electrical services are billed and defined. According to the official legislative document, the measure includes the following updates:
- Residential Rate Schedules: The ordinance establishes a multi-year schedule for residential customers using electricity primarily for domestic and household purposes.
- Quarterly Billing Option: Customer accounts with a monthly average consumption of 20 kWh or less may be categorized into a quarterly billing group. These customers can opt out of quarterly billing to remain on a monthly cycle.
- New and Repealed Sections: The ordinance seeks to repeal Section 523.062 and enact new sections 523.012, 523.068, and 523.30, which relate to definitions, rates for small non-building facilities, and joint registration.
The ordinance provides the following schedule for residential Monthly Fixed Charges for electric service agreements of 1 kWh or more:
| Monthly Fixed Charge | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Each Electric Service Agreement | $2.00 | $4.00 | $5.00 |
The ordinance also outlines specific Kilowatt Hour (kWh) charges for 2026:
| kWh Per Month | 2026 Summer | 2026 Winter |
|---|---|---|
| First 1,000 | $0.0970 | $0.0821 |
| All over 1,000 | $0.0943 | $0.0443 |
The stated rationale for these changes is that because Cleveland Public Power transitioned away from coal-fired electricity generation, the utility was required to install infrastructure to import and distribute power to remain in compliance with environmental regulations.
Who may be affected
The ordinance specifically names the following groups and departments:
- Division of Cleveland Public Power: Subject to new definitions and rate structures.
- Department of Public Utilities: The department overseeing the division.
- Residential customers: Impacted by new fixed monthly charges and seasonal kilowatt-hour rates.
Status and timeline
- September 24, 2026: The ordinance was introduced and underwent its first reading.
This legislative action follows a recent increase in utility-related activity in Cleveland, with 45 utility-related items appearing before the council in the last 90 days.
Residents can verify the details of this proposal by reviewing the original record at the Cleveland City Council Legistar website.
Key facts
- 2027 Fixed Charge
- $2.00
- 2028 Fixed Charge
- $4.00
- 2029 Fixed Charge
- $5.00
| 2027 | $2.00 |
|---|---|
| 2028 | $4.00 |
| 2029 | $5.00 |
Source record
- File
- 1171-2026
- Type
- Ordinance
- Status
- First Reading
- Committee
- City Council
- Introduced
- September 23, 2026
Official documents
- 1171-2026-Amend various Ord. CO Sections 523 - CPP electricity charges and rates; enact new 523.068 non-building rates
- 1171-2026 CPP Rates PRESENTATION 11.5.2026
- CPP_Rates_2026_PRESENTATION