Duke Energy Ohio Reaches Agreement on Electric Security Plan
- Allows customers access to today's low market prices for generation through a competitive auction
- Balances the interests of customers, the state of Ohio and investors
- Allows Duke Energy Ohio to continue supporting economic growth and job creation within its service territory
CINCINNATI, Oct. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy Ohio announced today it has reached a settlement agreement with most of the intervening parties involved with its application for an Electric Security Plan (ESP) filed with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) on June 20, 2011.
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The agreement, which is subject to approval by the PUCO, covers the company's generation service from Jan. 1, 2012 through May 31, 2015.
"The support of intervening parties has been instrumental in reaching an agreement that balances the needs of our customers with other key stakeholders," said Julie S. Janson, Duke Energy Ohio president. "This agreement, if approved by the commission, provides Duke Energy Ohio customers the opportunity to take advantage of today's low market rates and allows the company to focus on the long-term competitiveness of its generation assets in Ohio."
A Duke Energy Ohio residential customer, who uses on average 1,000 kWh a month, will see an approximately 11 percent rate reduction in their bill, or roughly $14 per month, starting Jan. 1, 2012.
Other key terms of the settlement include:
- A competitive auction process to determine customer rates
- A non-bypassable stability charge provided to the utility from 2012 to 2014
- Duke Energy Ohio must transfer its generating assets to an affiliate by Dec. 31, 2014, to encourage competition
- Duke Energy Ohio can continue supporting economic growth and job creation within its service territory
- Funding for low income families to support weatherization programs and fuel fund assistance.
The parties recommend PUCO approve the settlement on or before Nov. 15, 2011, so auctions can be conducted in order to serve Duke Energy Ohio's native load effective Jan. 1, 2012.
Duke Energy Ohio's operations provide electric service to approximately 685,000 customers and natural gas service to approximately 400,000 customers. Duke Energy is one of the largest electric power holding companies in the United States. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 4 million customers located in five states in the Southeast and Midwest, representing a population of approximately 12 million people. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 500 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available on the Internet at: www.duke-energy.com.
SOURCE Duke Energy
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