Proposed agreement to limit Duke Energy rate increases
DAYTON, OHIO - A proposed agreement filed October 27, with Ohio utility regulators will limit electricity rate increases for Duke Energy Ohio customers to 2 percent in 2009 and 2010, with no increase in 2011.
Consumer advocates, Duke Energy and the staff of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio negotiated the rate agreement. If the PUCO commissioners approve the negotiated deal, the new rates will take effect in January for customers of Duke, which serves a territory from the Springboro-Franklin area south to the Ohio River.
Duke said its original proposal would have increased rates for residential customers by 6 percent in 2009 and 2 percent in 2010 and decreased rates by 2 percent in 2011.
The increase will be 2 percent annually for 2009 through 2011 for Duke's non-residential customers, the utility said.
The rates cover the company's basic generation costs, Duke said. Customers' bills will also include Duke's costs for fuel, environmental rules compliance, and electricity bought from other systems to meet peak demands.
Duke also agreed to invest $1.75 million per year in assistance to low-income customers, consumer advocates said. The money will be distributed by local nonprofit organizations.
Related News
Ontario looks to build on electricity deal with Quebec
TORONTO - Ontario is negotiating a possible agreement to buy electricity from Quebec, but the government is disputing a published report that it is preparing to sign a deal for enough electricity to power a city the size of Ottawa.
La Presse reported Tuesday that it obtained a copy of a draft, 20-year deal that says Ontario would buy eight terawatt hours a year from Quebec – about 6 per cent of Ontario’s consumption – whether the electricity is consumed or not.
Ontario Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault’s office said the province is in discussions to build on an agreement signed last year…
