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Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel
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Citizens for Fair Utility Rates
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Neighborhood Environmental Coalition
Edgemont Neighborhood Coalition of Dayton
Ohio Partners of Affordable Energy
Greater Ohio
Ohio Farmers’ Union
Ohio State Legal Services Coalition

Efficiency, renewable rules must remain intact

COLUMBUS, Ohio – May 15, 2009 – The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel with other members of the Ohio Consumer and Environmental Advocates (OCEA) will urge the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to hold steady to most of the rules it created to advance energy efficiency and renewable energy in Ohio.

“Electric utilities are likely to ask the PUCO to change its mind on several aspects of these energy efficiency and renewable energy rules,” said Consumers’ Counsel Janine Migden-Ostrander. “The parts of the rules utilities seek to weaken must be preserved so energy efficiency and renewable energy can thrive in Ohio while utility consumers stay protected.”

The PUCO issued a balanced and reasonable interpretation of Ohio’s electric energy law in its April 15 decision on rules regarding energy efficiency and renewable energy, according to Migden-Ostrander. It should not be deterred by electric utilities that ask it to weaken them.

There are several strong examples of how the rules can benefit consumers and the environment alike. They include:

1. Long-term integrated resource plans to ensure a diversified energy portfolio: The rules call for each utility to file a plan with the PUCO indicating what sources will contribute to their overall electric needs on an annual basis. This will allow consumer advocates such as the OCC to review each utility’s plan to assure they are securing resources at the lowest cost for Ohio’s electric customers.

2. Independent evaluation of energy savings: The rules require a third-party evaluator to verify the energy savings of utility energy efficiency programs. The annual reports will confirm energy efficiency measures were actually installed and are generating the predicted savings.

3. PUCO-approval of energy efficiency upgrades by large electric users: A rigorous verification process is required before energy efficiency upgrades installed by large electric users can be used by utilities toward their energy efficiency requirements. The upgrades must be verified by an independent evaluator and the PUCO must approve the arrangement before it can be applied.

4. Three percent renewable energy cost cap: The PUCO created a balanced and reasonable way to calculate the renewable energy cost cap to renewable energy will not be impeded and consumers and renewable energy developers will be protected.

“We applaud the PUCO for releasing the final green rules that will allow Ohio to take advantage of its renewable energy resources and energy efficiency reserves,” said Amy Gomberg, Environment Ohio Program Director. “We hope the legislature will act quickly to approve the rules and put Ohioans back to work in these clean energy industries.”

According to Ned Ford, energy adviser for the Sierra Club Ohio Chapter, “Efficiency technology makes it possible to save several billion dollars every year in Ohio, and create thousands of new jobs. These new rules are an important step in implementing Senate Bill 221, and allowing Ohio’s electric utilities to partner with citizens and businesses to capture that enormous opportunity.”

The work to advocate for rules that maximized the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy was a joint effort of the OCEA and led by the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel.

“We applaud the OCC for their work on rules to promote energy efficiency and the use of renewables,” said the Rev. Michael Frank, co-chair of the Neighborhood Environmental Coalition. “Such efforts will ensure the availability of energy resources for our future generations as well as encourage the development of valuable renewable sources of energy.”

The Ohio Consumer and Environmental Advocates have recommended a few changes to the rules but overall, the PUCO has developed rules that follow the legislative intent of Ohio’s electric energy law and will lead the state toward greater diversification of energy resources.

Contacts:

Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel: Anthony Rodriguez, 614-466-9547
Citizen Power: Ted Robinson, 412-421-7029
Environment Ohio: Amy Gomberg, 614-460-8732
Sierra Club: Ned Ford, 513-600-4200
Citizens Coalition (Consumers for Fair Utility Rates, Empowerment Center of Greater Cleveland, Neighborhood Environmental Coalition): Joe Meissner, 216-687-1900 ext. 5672

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 Web site at www.pickocc.org.