This Web site, www.nopec.org (the “Site”), is owned and operated by one or more of NOPEC, Inc., an Ohio corporation, its member, The Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (“NOPEC”), and any future affiliates or subsidiaries of NOPEC and NOPEC, Inc. (collectively the “NOPEC Entities,” “we,” “us,” or “our”).
This Privacy Policy (“Policy”) has been instituted to explain to Site users and visitors how we collect, use, disclose and protect the Personal Information submitted by users and visitors to the Site. The term “Personal Information” refers to information that identifies you personally, alone or in combination with other information available to us. Examples of Personal Information include your name, address, e-mail address, mobile phone number and credit card information. This Policy applies only to the use and collection of data or information collected by the Site and does not apply to any other data or information collected by us online or offline. Users and visitors to the Site are subject to the terms, conditions and provisions stated in this Policy and any other relevant terms, conditions, policies, or notices posted or included on the Site. By visiting or using the Site, you agree to the terms of this Policy and, if you provide us your Personal Information, you consent to the collection, use and disclosure of your information as described in this Policy. If you do not agree with this Policy, please do not provide us any Personal Information and do not use the Site.
This Policy is Part of Our Terms of Use
This Policy is part of the Terms of Use that govern your use of this Site. A link to our Terms of Use is provided at the bottom of each page of this Site.
Privacy Notices
This Policy may be supplemented or amended from time to time by “privacy notices” posted on this Site. These Privacy Notices provide a level of detail that we cannot provide in this more general description of our privacy practices. For example, certain pages of this Site may contain Privacy Notices providing details about the Personal Information we collect on those pages, why we need that information, and choices you may have about the ways we use that information.
Types of Information We Collect
Information You Volunteer. We collect the Personal Information you and others knowingly and voluntarily provide when you use this Site. For example, we collect the Personal Information you submit when you sign up for our newsletter or contact us with questions.
Information Sent to Us by Your Web Browser. We collect information that is sent to us automatically by your Web browser. This information typically includes your IP address, the identity of your Internet service provider, the name and version of your operating system, the name and version of your browser, the date and time of your visit and the pages you visit. Please check your browser if you want to learn what information your browser sends or how to change your settings.
More About IP Addresses. An “IP address” is a unique number that is automatically assigned to your computer when you connect to the Internet. It is used to identify your computer’s “location” in cyberspace, so that the information you request can be delivered to you. IP addresses do not include your name, e-mail address or other information that identifies you personally, but in some cases, they can be used to identify you. For example, if you have registered with this Site, we may link your IP address to account information that identifies you personally. We may also provide your IP address to our third-party service providers who can use it to identify your state and zip code. In addition, if, we suspect inappropriate or criminal activity or a threat to the security of this Site, we may share our server logs—which contain users’ IP addresses—with the appropriate investigative authorities, who could use that information to trace and identify individuals.
Cookies and Similar Technologies. We use “cookies” and other Web technologies to collect information and support certain features of this Site. For example, we may use these technologies to:
- collect information about the ways visitors use this Site—which pages they visit, which links they use and how long they stay on each page;
- to support the features and functionality of this Site—for example, to save you the trouble of re-entering information already in our database or to prompt the settings you established on previous visits; and
- to personalize your experience when you use this Site.
Generally, the information we collect using these Web technologies does not identify you personally. If, however, you have created a user identity, for example, by registering on this Site, we may link the information we collect using these Web technologies to other information that identifies you personally.
Generally, if you do not wish to receive cookies, you may set your browser to reject cookies or to alert you when a cookie is placed on your computer. Although you are not required to accept cookies when you visit this Site, you may be unable to use all of the functionality of this Site if your browser rejects our cookies.
Information from your mobile device. If you access the mobile version of this Site, we may automatically collect certain information from or about your mobile device. The types of information we may collect include the type of device you use, your device’s unique ID, the IP address of your device, your device’s operating system, the type of mobile Internet browsers you use and information about the way you use our mobile application(s) and this Site.
Using GPS technology, and with your opt-in consent, we may also collect precise, real-time location information from your mobile device and use that information to deliver tailored Content to you. “Content” refers to all of the software and code comprising or used to operate this Site, and all of the text, photographs, images, illustrations, graphics, sound recordings, video and audio-video clips and other materials available on this Site, including User-Generated Content (defined below). Your mobile device may allow you to adjust your settings so that location information is not available to any mobile website or application. If you have questions about the security and privacy settings of your mobile device, please refer to instructions from your mobile service provider or the manufacturer of your device. Assuming you have consented to our collection of location information from your mobile device, our mobile Web site and mobile app may collect such information even if you are not logged into them.
Third-Party Cookies
In addition to the cookies we deliver to your computer through this Site, certain third parties may deliver cookies to your computer for a variety of reasons. We do not have access to, nor control over, the cookies of third-party service providers or advertisers.
How We Use Personal Information Collected Through This Site
Generally, we use the Personal Information we collect through this Site:
- to provide the information, products and services you request;
- to better understand your needs and interests;
- to provide you with a personalized experience when you use this Site;
- to provide you with effective customer service;
- to improve the Content, functionality and usability of this Site;
- to contact you with information and notices related to your use of this Site;
- to contact you with special offers and other information we believe will be of interest to you;
- to invite you to participate in surveys and provide Feedback to us (with “Feedback” meaning the Content you post on or through this Site that is specifically about how we can improve this Site and the products and services we make available through this Site).;
- to improve our products and services;
- to improve our marketing and promotional efforts;
- for security, credit or fraud prevention purposes; and
- for any other purpose identified in any other notice or agreement between you and us.
No mobile information will be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. All other categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.
Please see below for information about the choices you have about the ways we use your Personal Information.
Use of Aggregated and De-Identified Information
We may use information gathered through this Site to create a compiled, aggregate view of its audience and visitors’ usage patterns. We use aggregated and/or de-identified information to operate our services and to better understand our audience as we develop new products and services. We may also share aggregated and/or de-identified information with our third-party service providers and/or investors. Aggregate and de-identified information is not personally identifiable.
Use of Survey Information
From time to time, we may post a survey on this Site or we may send you a questionnaire or survey. We compile statistical information from the responses to our surveys. These statistics are not personally identifiable. They help us understand the needs and preferences of the groups we serve, improve the Content and functionality of this Site and other websites owned by us, and improve our products and services.
Your Choices
In General. We respect your right to make choices about the ways we collect, use, and disclose your Personal Information. Discussed above are choices you have about delivery of cookies through this Site and about our collection of location information. In addition, we may ask you to indicate certain choices at the time we collect your Personal Information. For example, at the time you give us your contact information, we may provide to you an opportunity to choose (via “opt out” or “opt in”) whether you receive certain communications from us and/or our business partners. We will also include an “unsubscribe” link in each electronic newsletter or promotional email we send to you, and you can always text STOP to stop receiving SMS text messages from us. OPT IN CONSENT: By submitting your phone number, you are authorizing to send you text messages and notifications. Message/data rates apply. Reply STOP to unsubscribe to a message sent from us.
Previously Expressed Preferences. You may change previously expressed preferences regarding how we use your Personal Information. If you have registered with this Site, you may be able to change certain privacy preferences through your account settings. Otherwise, if at any time you wish to be taken off our mailing lists, please contact us using the information provided above. Once we have the information we need, we will remove you from our mailing lists as you have requested. Please give us a reasonable amount of time to honor your request.
How to Access, Update or Correct Your Personal Information
If you have registered with this Site, you may be able to access, update or correct your Personal Information through your account settings. Otherwise, you may need our help. If you wish to access, update, or correct your Personal Information, please contact us using the information provided in this Policy. We will respond to you within a reasonable time and, in any case, within the time limits established by applicable law. We may ask you for additional information to verify your identity. In most cases, we will provide access and correct or delete any inaccurate information you discover. In some cases, however, we may limit or deny your request if the law permits or requires us to do so or if we are unable to verify your identify.
Steps We Take to Safeguard your Personal Information
We maintain reasonable administrative, physical, and technological measures to protect the confidentiality and security of Personal Information you submit on or through this Site. Unfortunately, no Web site, server or database is completely secure or “hacker proof.” We therefore cannot guarantee that your Personal Information will not be disclosed, misused or lost by accident or by the unauthorized acts of others.
How We Share Your Personal Information With Others
Third–Party Vendors. We may share Personal Information collected through this Site with third-party vendors who act for or on behalf of the NOPEC Entities. For example, we may share Personal Information with companies that provide web hosting or email services for our newsletters. These third-party vendors may need information about you to perform their functions. Our disclosures to third party vendors are made under contractual terms designed to safeguard your Personal Information.
User-Generated Content. We may offer you the ability to submit User-Generated Content on or through this Site. “User-Generated Content” refers to all of the Content that you post on or through this Site using the social networking tools we make available to you and that does not constitute Feedback. One way that User-Generated Content differs from other information you provide to us is that, once submitted, User-Generated Content is made available instantaneously to others. Examples of User-Generated Content include comments posted to discussion boards. User-Generated Content is available to others who visit this Site. In addition, we may repurpose User-Generated Content you submit on or through this Site for use in advertising campaigns and other promotions. We may or may not use your name in connection with such use, and we may or may not seek your further consent before using User-Generated Content for such purposes. Therefore, you should have no expectation of privacy with respect to User-Generated Content you submit on or through this Site. You should not submit any User-Generated Content you do not wish to make available to the general public, and you must take special care to make sure your submissions comply with our Terms of Use. In particular, your submissions must not violate the privacy or other rights of others.
Compliance with Laws and Protection of Our Rights and the Rights of Others. We may disclose your Personal Information when we, in good faith, believe disclosure is appropriate to comply with the law, a court order, or a subpoena. We may also disclose your Personal Information to prevent or investigate a possible crime, such as fraud or identity theft; to protect the security of this Site; to enforce or apply our online Terms of Use or other agreements; or to protect our own rights or property or the rights, property or safety of our users or others.
As Described in a Privacy Notice. We reserve the right to disclose your Personal Information as described in any Privacy Notice posted on the Web page where you provide that information. By providing your personal information on that Web page you will be consenting to the disclosure of your personal information as described in that Privacy Notice.
Children Under the Age of Thirteen
This Site is not intended for children or minors under the age of thirteen years without the permission of a parent or guardian. If you believe that a child has submitted Personal Information on or through this Site without the consent and supervision of a parent or guardian, please contact us using the information provided below.
Links to Other Sites
This Site may contain links to Web sites operated by other organizations, including Web sites operated by our third-party service providers and other third parties. This Policy does not apply to Personal Information collected on any of these third-party Web sites. When you access third-party Web sites through a link on this Site, please take a few minutes to review the privacy policy posted on that site.
This Policy May Change
This Policy describes our current policies and practices with regard to the Personal Information we collect through this Site.
We are continually improving and adding to the features and functionality of this Site and the services we offer through this Site. As a result of these changes (or changes in the law), we may need to update or revise this Policy. Accordingly, we reserve the right to update or modify this Policy at any time, without prior notice, by posting the revised version of this Policy behind the link marked “Privacy Policy” at the bottom of each page of this Site. Your continued use of this Site after we have posted the revised Policy constitutes your agreement to be bound by the revised Policy.
For your convenience, whenever this Policy is changed, we will alert you by posting a notice on our home page. We will also update the “effective date” at the bottom of this Policy. If we have your email address, we may also attempt to email you with notice that the Policy has changed.
You may access the current version of this Policy at any time by clicking the link marked “Privacy Policy” at the bottom of each page of this Site.
To Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us using the following information: privacy@nopecinfo.org
Effective Date of this Policy: July 17, 2013
