Greens Info on PUCO

[irishbobcat]

Here is some new information the Mahoning Valley Greens had forward to them regarding another new PUCO Hearing coming down the pike on Electric Bills and Deregulatons.....

August 20, 2008 – PUCO Issues Draft Rules for Ohio's
Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard, Energy Efficiency

Columbus, Ohio – The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
(PUCO) today issued for public comment staff-proposed rules that would
implement the alternative energy portfolio standard outlined in Senate
Bill 221, Ohio's new electricity law. The draft rules also incorporate new
requirements for energy efficiency programs, renewable energy credits,
long-term forecast and greenhouse gas reporting, and carbon dioxide
control planning.

Stakeholders are encouraged to file written comments in response to the
PUCO staff-proposed rules until Sept. 9, 2008 and reply comments until
Sept. 26, 2008. Following the comment period, the Commission will consider
input from all stakeholders before adopting rules in the fall. The rules
will then be subject to review by the Joint Committee on Agency Rule
Review.

Ohio's alternative energy portfolio standard requires that by 2025, at
least 25 percent of electricity sold by Ohio's electric distribution
utilities or electric services companies must be generated from
alternative energy sources. At least half of this energy must come from
renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, biomass and hydro with a
minimum of one-half percent coming from solar resources. One half of the
renewable energy facilities must be located in Ohio. Utilities are
required to meet annual benchmarks, or incremental percentage
requirements, to meet the renewable portion of the standard.

In July, the PUCO issued two add
itional sets of draft rules to implement other sections of SB 221. The
first set of rules, issued for comment on July 2, outlined proposed
requirements for Ohio's electric distribution utilities to submit electric
security plans and market rate options. The second set, issued on July 23,
incorporated new or revised requirements for electric line extension
policies, government aggregation programs, net metering, interconnection,
and environmental disclosure. The PUCO has established separate timelines
for evaluating these rule proposals.

SB 221 was signed into law by Gov. Ted Strickland on May 1, 2008, marking
the one year anniversary of the date he outlined his Energy, Jobs, and
Progress Plan to stabilize electricity prices, create jobs, and expand
Ohio's green energy industry. The new law, which takes effect on July 31,
2008, incorporates a system under which rates would be set by the PUCO and
outlines a path for electric utilities to implement market-based pricing.

Copies of today's Commission entry, the staff-proposed rules and a
timeline that details the rulemaking process are available at
www.PUCO.ohio. gov.

Please see the following link for PUCO Proposed Rules to Implement S.B.
221 for Alternative and Renewable Energy Technology and
Resources, Emission Control Reporting Requirements, and Amendment of
Forecast Rules in Chapters 4901:5-1, 4901:5-3, 4901:5-5, and 4901:5-7 of
the Administrative Code.
www.puco.ohio. gov/PUCO/ Rules/Rule. cfm?id=8724Â Â