Update: Although DP&L does not oppose an extension of the testimony due date, DP&L filed in opposition to a request by some parties for an indefinite continuance of the hearing until the PUCO decides FirstEnergy’s ESP IV case regarding the virtual PPA and credit support riders. According to DP&L, a lengthy continuance as envisioned by the parties would place its financial integrity in jeopardy. In support of this claim, DP&L cited to a Fitch Ratings statement that downgraded DP&L’s credit rating from stable to negative.

Also this week, DP&L withdrew its Reliable Electricity Rider (RER) proposal, which was intended to subsidize a fleet of generating units that DP&L will soon be transferring to an affiliate (a virtual PPA rider). In place of the RER, DP&L states that it will propose an alternative named the Distribution Modernization Rider (DMR) (which is what Staff proposed as a credit support rider in the FirstEnergy case). DP&L states that it will be filing replacement testimony to support its DMR proposal. The DMR proposal appears to be an attempt by DP&L to follow the strategy from FirstEnergy’s ESP IV proceeding, where the concept of a DMR proposed by Staff is currently under consideration by the PUCO.