PUCO orders to implement HB 128, refund “decoupling” charges
COLUMBUS, OH (July 7, 2021) – Today the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) ordered FirstEnergy’s Ohio utilities to return to customers monies they had collected from customers under the terms of a conservation support rider, more commonly referred to as “decoupling.”
In its order, the Commission directed Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, Ohio Edison, Toledo Edison to return to customers approximately $27.5 million (including interest). The refund is to be made in the form of a credit to customer bills over a single billing cycle, which will be accompanied with a bill insert to explain the refund.
The refunds will be calculated in the same way they were charged to customers, based on monthly usage. Refunds for residential customers are as follows:
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Total per kWh rate for RS customer class*
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Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company
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$(0.0161772)
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Ohio Edison
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$(0.0089551)
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Toledo Edison
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$(0.0131881)
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*actual rates may vary slightly, based on the timing of the refunds
The utilities are ordered to file final tariffs with refund calculations based on today’s Commission order by July 14, 2021.
Amended Substitute House Bill 128 became effective on June 30, 2021. Among other things, the law requires a full refund of any revenues collected in the form of a decoupling charge established under R.C. 4928.471. The three FirstEnergy utilities collected this decoupling charge from customers from Jan. 1, 2020 through Feb. 2, 2021. No other Ohio electric distribution utilities had this type of decoupling charges.
A copy of today’s Commission finding and order is available on the PUCO website by visiting https://dis.puc.state.oh.us and searching case 21-484-EL-ATA.
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The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) is the sole agency charged with regulating public utility service. The role of the PUCO is to assure all residential, business and industrial consumers have access to adequate, safe and reliable utility services at fair prices while facilitating an environment that provides competitive choices. Consumers with utility-related questions or concerns can call the PUCO Call Center at (800) 686-PUCO (7826) and speak with a representative.
For additional information, contact: Matt Schilling | (614) 466-7750
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