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Energy Efficiency Opt-Out Provision

What is the Energy Efficiency Opt-Out Provision?

Enhancing our Energy Efficiency program offerings is one way we’re working to meet rising energy demand by helping our customers conserve energy. The offerings encourage the continued development and implementation of demand response and energy efficiency conservation for our customers. The plan also provides certain customers the ability to opt out of participating in the Energy Efficiency rider (DR-SAW Rider) if they have already completed energy efficiency projects on their own and meet the following eligibility requirements:

Opt-Out Eligibility

  • Qualifying Duke Energy mercantile customers in Ohio must file an application with Duke Energy and submit an application to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). The application must clearly demonstrate that the company has undertaken or will undertake self-directed energy efficiency programs that have resulted or will result in energy savings that equal or exceed the benchmarks set by the state of Ohio.
  • The customer’s aggregated annual usage must be greater than 700,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh).
  • Qualifying industrial and commercial customers may choose to opt out for select accounts/locations or all accounts. However, the customer cannot opt out of individual programs (i.e., cannot opt out of the conservation programs and still participate in demand response).
  • Once the customer has made the determination to opt out, the customer, or its legal counsel, must file an application to opt out at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.
  • To begin the opt-out process, the customer must complete the online Rider Exemption Application.
  • Upon approval, the customer will be exempt from the Energy Efficiency rider. However, in doing so, they forego the opportunity to take advantage of energy efficiency measures until the opt-out/opt-in window reopens the following year.

For complete Energy Efficiency opt-out rules, please go to www.puco.ohio.gov and use the following directions to navigate the site:

  • Click on the “DIS” Link on the left side of the page
  • Search by industry (“EL” Electric)
  • Click on ORD Case List
  • Find Case No. 08-888-EL-ORD
  • See the most recent Opinion and Order for the rules.

DR-SAW Rider Exemption Application

Energy Efficiency Opt-Out Provision Frequently Asked Questions