PUCO modifies rules for Ohio’s alternative energy portfolio standard

COLUMBUS, OHIO (Oct. 15, 2009) – The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) today modified rules that implement the alternative energy portfolio standards created by Senate Bill 221, Ohio’s electricity law, incorporate requirements for energy efficiency, alternative and renewable energy resources and the resource plan.

The modifications made to the rules address issues raised by various parties following the Commission’s June 17, 2009 second entry on rehearing that modified many of the rules adopted in the Commission’s April 15, 2009 opinion and order.

Upon consideration of the issues raised by the parties, the Commission modified the rules regarding the use of interruptible loads in reducing an electric utility system’s peak demand. The Commission also revised its rules to address concerns and to better define the mercantile customer’s energy efficiency programs. Further, the Commission modified its rules to allow an electric utility to seek a waiver when actual peak demand or peak prices are below expected levels due to factors outside the utility’s control.

The Commission also modified its rules to make measurement and verification of energy savings and peak demand reductions from mercantile customer-sited programs consistent with measurement and verification for electric utility programs. In a separate finding and order issued today in case number 09-512-GE-UNC, the Commission established energy efficiency and peak demand measurement and verification policy and guidance.

Finally, the Commission revised its rules to clarify that the resource plan filing is to be included as part of the electric utility’s long-term forecast report annual filing. The Commission noted that the new resource plan required by the rules reflects the statutory mandates of SB 221 and is streamlined.

On May 1, 2008, Gov. Ted Strickland signed SB 221 into law, marking the one year anniversary of the date he outlined his Energy, Jobs, and Progress Plan to stabilize electricity prices, create green jobs and increase Ohio’s use of alternative energy. The bill took effect on July 31, 2008, and the Commission immediately commenced its rulemaking process.

The Commission will file the modified rules with the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review. The rules will take effect on the earliest date permitted by law.

The complete text of the rules is available on the PUCO Web site at www.PUCO.ohio.gov/PUCO/rules. To access a copy of today’s Commission entry on rehearing, enter the case number 08-888-EL-ORD into the search field.

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