Utility Further Revises Price To Compare Language On Bills Under Proposed Bill Changes

Duke Energy Ohio has filed with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio updated sample bills in a docket concerning revisions to its bill format, and the latest draft sample bills include revised language for the Price to Compare information included on all utility electric bills versus the samples originally filed by Duke

Under the latest sample bills filed by Duke, the Price to Compare language states:

Latest Revision

"Price to compare: In order for you to save money, an electric supplier must offer you a price lower than 5.77 cents per kWh [a sample rate] for the same usage that appears on this bill. To review competitive offers from electric suppliers, visit the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio’s 'Energy Choice Ohio' website at energychoice.ohio.gov. To learn more about Price to Compare, visit duke-energy.com or contact Duke Energy for a written explanation."

This is essentially the current Price to Compare language used on bills (the current version may use all caps in stating PRICE TO COMPARE). Notably, this language includes a specific reference to the customer's current usage and bill for the comparison.

For comparison, Duke's originally filed sample bills had included the following Price to Compare language:

Original Filing

"Price to compare: If you’re considering using a different electric supplier, their rate would have to be lower than [sample rate] per kWh for you to save money. Visit www.energychoice.ohio.gov to compare rates of all electric suppliers or contact Duke Energy for a written explanation."

For further comparison, a sample bill filed by Duke when updating its bill in 2015, to reflect the addition of retail supplier logos, included the following Price to Compare language:

2015 Filing:

"PRICE TO COMPARE: In order for you to save money, an electric supplier must offer you a price lower than 6.33 cents per kWh for the same usage that appears on this bill. To review competitive offers from electric suppliers, visit the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio's 'Energy Choice Ohio' website at http://energychoice.ohio.gov. To learn more about Price to Compare, visit www.duke-energy.com or contact Duke Energy for a written explanation."

Case No. 19-1593-GE-UNC