PUCO authorizes electric security plan for Duke Energy Ohio
COLUMBUS – Today the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) authorized an electric security plan for Duke Energy Ohio, effective June 1, 2025, through May 31, 2028.
“Today we approve a wide-ranging settlement in which Duke Energy Ohio will continue to provide competitively priced power, invest in its system, and provide assistance to the most vulnerable,” stated PUCO Chair Jenifer French.
Duke Energy Ohio will continue to source electricity for its customers through a competitive bidding process. In its ruling, the PUCO approved a provision to eliminate 3-year bids during the competitive bidding process to minimize price volatility.
The utility will develop a distribution capacity hosting map to identify areas in Duke’s service territory that may have available capacity for new electric loads, which can lead to more efficient grid planning.
The utility will continue programs to recover its investments in the distribution grid and vegetation management expenses, subject to future PUCO audit and approval.
Over the three-year term, Duke Energy Ohio will implement a $7.2 million energy efficiency program targeted at eligible low-income customers and contribute $575,000 in shareholder funds towards payment assistance and customer education initiatives.
The Commission ordered the utility to file an application for a base distribution rate case by June 30, 2027. The utility is ordered to file final tariffs consistent with today’s opinion and order as soon as possible.
On Nov. 27, 2024, a settlement agreement was signed by Duke Energy Ohio, PUCO staff, Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, the city of Cincinnati, Ohio Energy Group, Ohio Energy Leadership Council, Ohio Manufactures’ Association Energy Group, Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy, Retail Energy Supply Association, Interstate Gas Supply, Constellation, Kroger and Walmart.
A copy of today’s opinion and order is available on the PUCO website at www.PUCO.ohio.gov by clicking on the link to Docketing Information System (DIS) and searching for 24-278-EL-SSO.