Consumers' Counsel Proposes Rule Requiring Utilities To Offer Time Of Use Rate Option As "Standard Service Offer"

The Ohio Consumers' Counsel has proposed that the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio adopt a rule that would require the electric utilities to offer, "as a standard service offer," an optional rate design tariff for demand, load, and time-based options for customers with AMI meters

OCC's proposal came in a case reviewing changes to Ohio Adm. Code Chapter 4901:1-9, which addresses metering options and which currently includes a requirement for utilities to offer residential customers whose residences are primarily heated by electricity the option of metering usage by a demand, load, or time differentiated pricing meter.

"OCC recommends that a new rule should be added under Ohio Adm.Code Chapter 4901:1-9-03. The new rule should require the electric distribution utilities (EDUs) to maintain, as a standard service offer, a rate design tariff for demand, load, and time-based options. The tariff should be made available for any customers who have advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) meters and wish to volunteer to be served under such tariff(s). (No consumers should be required to participate in these optional tariff offerings.)," OCC said

"OCC further recommends an additional paragraph (rule) to Chapter 4901:1-9-03. The new rule should place a duty on EDUs with customers who have AMI meters to explain the time-differentiated pricing options that may be available under the standard service offer. Further, the EDUs should review customer usage characteristics with customers to help them determine if they can potentially save money with time-differentiated pricing options. The utility should be required to strictly minimize their cost for any proposed education program," OCC said

"Finally, OCC recommends for customers who voluntarily decide to participate in time-differentiated rate options, the EDUs should be required to provide those customers with resources (including online calculators) so that they can determine if they saved (or lost) money on the advanced rate options compared to standard service options," OCC said

Case No. 20-1800-EL-ORD