DP&L’s Self-Direct Program

Companies can cash in on energy-saving projects

 

In 2008, Ohio lawmakers mapped a new course for Ohio’s electricity users and the utilities that serve them. Encouraging utility companies, energy users and state government to work together to keep a lid on electricity prices, the legislature passed Senate Bill 221, which requires the utilities to implement energy efficiency and peak demand reduction programs to achieve gradual reductions in energy usage and electricity demand during peak times.

Under Ohio’s new energy plan, DP&L must meet higher energy efficiency standards starting in 2009 – and by 2025, it must use energy-conservation technologies and other measures to reduce future demand for electricity by a cumulative 22%.

State law allows DP&L and other utilities to recover – from their customers – the cost of implementing the plan. This could cost your business money. But qualifying customers have an opportunity to receive 75% of the calculated incentive for kWh reductions as a one-time cash payment OR opt out of paying the Energy Efficiency Rider by demonstrating that their own conservation measures and energy reduction projects have cut electricity use and peak demand.

What businesses will be able to realize the one-time cash payment or opt out of paying the energy efficiency rider?

Participating businesses must use more than 700,000 kWh annually or be part of a national or regional account.

What energy efficiency projects will qualify?

Qualifying projects must have been installed after January 1, 2008. This means you might save money for what you’ve already done and for which you’ve already paid.

Businesses must be able to document that they have reduced their energy usage or that a project has resulted in reductions in peak demand.

How will a business be able to take advantage of past energy efficiency programs?

These are the steps in the application process, which DP&L is happy to help you with:

  1. The business submits a pre-application to DP&L, with documentation about reductions in energy use and/or peak demand for historical and/or future projects.
  2. The business and DP&L will prepare and file a joint application with the PUCO.
  3. An audit will be performed — with reasonable notice — to verify the project’s energy savings, based on PUCO requirements.
  4. The PUCO will approve the project and the business will provide DP&L with annual reports on energy savings and/or cuts in peak demand. And the business will receive its one-time payment or reduced rate from DP&L.

To the extent permitted by the PUCO, all documentation and other proprietary information provided by the business will be treated confidentially.

For more information about the Self-Direct Program, call DP&L at (937) 331-4817. Or contact Kevin Schmidt, OMA’s Director, Public Policy Services, at (800) 662-4463, or kschmidt@ohiomfg.com.

And more information can be found at http://www.puco.ohio.gov/puco/?LinkServID=0804D853-F7B4-7E96-C21417202B58D3DF