Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

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Approval of GoGreen program will provide Duke Energy’s Ohio customers a new choice

COLUMBUS, Ohio – May 9, 2007 – Today the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) approved an important new energy option that will provide Duke Energy’s Ohio customers the ability to promote the use of electricity from renewable resources. The two-year pilot program called GoGreen Power is a cooperative effort involving the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) and Duke.

“Customers will be able to promote the benefits of renewable power each month as part of this voluntary program,” said Janine Migden-Ostrander, Consumers’ Counsel. “With the need to ensure that the market is sustained for producing green power from sources such as wind and solar, consumers will now have this easy method to support this effort and make a difference.”

Customers who sign up for the program would pay a small premium and commit to supporting a minimum of 200 kilowatt hours (kWh) of green power each month for one year. Customers would pay a 2.5 cent/kWh premium. For example, the typical residential customer uses 850 kWh per month but could choose to buy as little as 200 kWh through the program, which would cost $5 more per month. Consumers could choose to support a greater amount of electricity from renewable energy as well.

Promotional materials would be provided by Duke to customers with enrollment information.

Through the proposal, Duke will purchase renewable energy credits within the region in and around Ohio. Renewable energy credits are bought and sold by many utilities and other power producers that reflect renewable power is being generated throughout the country. The existing credit system supports the development of new renewable facilities.

The OCC supports maintaining a portfolio of diverse renewable products which helps advance the competitive market for electricity from these sources. A more developed market will likely lower the price of renewable energy in the future.

About the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), the residential utility consumer advocate, represents the interests of 4.5 million households in proceedings before state and federal regulators and in the courts. The state agency also educates consumers about electric, natural gas, telephone and water issues and resolves complaints from individuals. To receive utility information, brochures, schedule a presentation or file a utility complaint, residential consumers may call 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) toll free in Ohio or visit the OCC website at www.pickocc.org.