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Ohio Energy Deregulation
and Opportunities
Natural Gas
Electricity
SB 221 Rate Cases Settled
S.B.
221 took effect in July 2008 and resulted in the filing of electric
rate cases by Ohio’s four major electric utilities. The bill required
Ohio’s electric utilities to either file “electric security plans” that
would establish somewhat cost-based rates, or permit the utilities to
file “market option plans” in which rates would move to market-based
rates.
The PUCO
issued rules as required by SB 221, although some of the rules are not
final. The rules and comments filed by parties can be found on
the PUCO website at
www.puco.ohio.gov/.
AEP, Dayton Power and Light, Duke Energy Ohio, and FirstEnergy filed
proposals during the second half of 2008, and those cases have
been resolved except for some issues still before the Commission.
The focus under SB 221 has shifted to reducing hospital electricity
demand through energy efficiency and demand response, for which
hospitals—depending upon the program offered by their utility—may be
able to avoid an energy efficiency rider (cost-avoidance) or obtain
other financial incentives (rebates) for energy efficiency projects. See the following links for more
information.
American Electric Power application:
o AEP
energy efficiency subsidies Web site
o PUCO
Order adopting Electric Security Plan
o June
30, 2009 Webinar
o July
29, 2009 AEP slides
Duke
Energy Ohio application:
o PUCO
Order adopting Electric Security Plan
o Duke
Energy Ohio energy efficiency Web site
FirstEnergy application:
o
Settlement
o
Settlement
summary by
Bricker & Eckler
o
Overview
of energy collaborative
o
FirstEnergy energy efficiency subsidies Web site
o
FirstEnergy efficiency/demand response Administrator Form
Dayton Power and
Light application:
o DP&L
energy efficiency programs
o Settlement
o PUCO
Order adopted DP&L settlement
o Energy rebate slides from 8/25/09 DP&L meeting
Background
OHA has been active in energy issues dating to at least the
1970s energy crisis, when it obtained a government grant to assist
hospitals with energy conservation projects. OHA remains active in
energy conservation through its support of the U.S. EPA
Energy
Star program
and related
conservation and pollution prevention efforts in Ohio.
OHA formed a natural gas
purchasing group in 1998, and
restructured its natural gas program in 2004. OHA's endorsed
natural gas supplier has been Stand Energy Corporation since 2004.
OHA has been involved in state
electric policy-making since legislation was enacted to deregulate the
Ohio electric market in 1999. Since then, OHA has intervened in major
electric cases before the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and
negotiated with electric utilities as a part of the regulatory process.
OHA has been actively involved in implementation of S.B. 221, related
PUCO rulemaking, and the electric security plan and market rate offer
cases that have been or will be filed with the PUCO.
Natural Gas
OHA has had a natural gas program since 1998. OHA's energy committee selected Stand Energy Corporation based on its
reputation, familiarity with hospital operations, pricing and
willingness to use OHA's Master Agreement. Hospitals are invited to
contact OHA or Stand Energy Company for further information. At Stand
Energy Corporation, contact Stacee Dover or Terri
Leach at 800-598-2046 or
OHA@stand-energy.com.
Contact Rick Sites at OHA if your hospital is interested in a free
comparison of natural gas supply offers.
Electric
Utilities
Energy Market and Related News
Weekly Stand Energy Natural Gas Update
OHA’s endorsed natural gas supplier issues a
weekly update to its customers.
Winter 2009-2010 Forecast
The
National Weather Service (NOAA) is forecasting above normal
temperatures and below normal precipitation for the Ohio region during
the coming winter. Temperatures and precipitation are expected to be
normal this fall.
Hurricane seasons becoming more
active
Research at Penn State
concludes that hurricane seasons are becoming more active and storms
more intense. Researchers reached that conclusion by studying sediment
samples and computer models measuring hurricane seasons during the past
1,500 years. That study found high levels of storms and intensity about
1,000 years ago followed by lower activity.
Colorado State University Lowers
Hurricane Prediction
Hurricane forecasters at Colorado State
University in early June
lowered its prediction for the Atlantic hurricane season to
below that expected for an average season. Because of
cooler-than-normal ocean temperatures and a better chance for a weak El
Nino for a large portion of the season, CSU’s William Gray and Phil
Klotzbach now forecast 11 named storms (down from 14) through Nov. 30.
Five of those will become hurricanes, with two predicted to be major
ones. The CSU team estimates a 28% chance a hurricane will strike the
East or Gulf Coast—below the average.
Global Warming Report: Lots of
Precipitation
Environment America issued a report in early
December that finds climate change throughout the United States.
As applicable to Ohio, the report finds that "extreme precipitation"
events have increased during the period beginning in 1948, and that
trend is expected to continue. The report attributes the situation
to global warming. Find the
report with maps and tables.
Energy Management Initiatives and Resources
Contact
Rick Sites
General Counsel and Senior Director of Health Policy, Ohio Hospital Association
Executive Director, OHA Solutions and Senior Director of Health Policy
ricks@ohanet.org
© 2001-2009 OHA. Last updated
September 03, 2009.
Please direct comments, corrections or additions to: oha@ohanet.org
614.221.7614.
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