Energy Efficiency Program Opt-Out Eligibility

The following “opt out” eligibility requirements have been approved by the North Carolina Utilities Commission.

• Any industrial or qualifying large commercial customer* may notify Duke Energy that it has implemented or will implement alternative energy efficiency measures and may elect not to participate in new energy efficiency measures. Any customer that elects this option will, after the date of notification to the utility, be exempt from the energy efficiency rider established pursuant to this rule.
• At the time Duke Energy petitions for the annual rider, it may be required to provide the Commission with a list of those industrial or large commercial customers that have opted out of participation in the new energy efficiency measures.
• New customers who are eligible will have 60 days after establishing service to notify Duke Energy of their election decision. The opt-in/out enrollment period occurs annually from November 1 to December 31. 
• Qualifying customers may participate in the conservation programs (Smart $aver Assessments and Incentives), only the demand-side management programs (PowerShare), both or neither.
• Any customer that chooses opt-out, but subsequently elects to participate, loses the right to be exempt from payment of the rider for the year in which the purchase and installation occured.  Within 30 days of the election, Duke Energy may be required to notify the Commission of an industrial or large commercial customer that elects to participate in a new measure after having initially declined to participate.

*All customers on an Industrial rate and those consuming 1,000,000 kWh annually are eligible to opt out.