FirstEnergy Ohio Utilities to Offer Energy Efficiency Programs to Help Customers Reduce Electric Use

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Apr 15, 2016, 04:20 ET

AKRON, Ohio, April 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp.'s (NYSE: FE) Ohio utilities today filed comprehensive plans with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) that would offer a menu of energy efficiency programs aimed at helping customers save energy and money.

The proposed Energy Efficiency and Peak Demand Reduction Portfolio Plans would allow customers of FirstEnergy's Ohio utilities – Ohio Edison, Cleveland Electric Illuminating and Toledo Edison – to participate in a wide range of cost-effective programs available between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2019. The energy efficiency and peak demand reduction programs will provide numerous energy saving opportunities for customers.

The proposed plans are the result of a collaborative process with various stakeholders including environmental groups, consumer advocates and energy efficiency service providers. They outline a three-year plan to reduce over 800,000 megawatt hours of electric consumption annually, which exceeds the annual reduction targets of the energy efficiency mandates that are currently suspended in Ohio.

"Our proposal supports FirstEnergy's transition to a cleaner energy future," said Charles E. Jones, FirstEnergy President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our energy efficiency plans will provide our customers with additional tools to manage their electric use and support environmental benefits."

The FirstEnergy Ohio utilities' proposal offers a wide range of energy conservation measures tailored to a variety of customer segments, including low-income, residential, small commercial, industrial and governmental. Residential and low-income customer programs include:

Low-Income New Homes Program: Offers incentives for energy-efficient home construction or major rehabilitation of existing low-income housing.
Energy Efficient Homes Program: Promotes customer education on energy efficiency and the adoption of efficient technologies. Includes school education, energy efficiency kits, smart thermostats to optimize efficiency of residential heating and cooling systems, home energy audits for single- and multi-family residences and manufactured/mobile homes, and electric usage reports with energy-saving tips.
Energy Efficient Products Program: Provides incentives to encourage the installation of energy efficient products such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), appliances, consumer electronics, heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment, and programmable/smart thermostats.
Appliance Turn-in Program: Enables customers to recycle inefficient refrigerators, freezers, room air conditioners and dehumidifiers in exchange for rebates.
Direct Load Control Program: Peak demand reduction program that remotely controls customers' air conditioning, resulting in usage reductions during peak demand periods.
Low-Income Energy Efficiency Program: Expands Community Connections program administered by the Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy (OPAE), as stipulated in the FirstEnergy Ohio Utilities' recently approved ESP.

Today's filings propose a detailed procedural schedule that will ensure a comprehensive review of the plans. FirstEnergy's Ohio utilities have requested a PUCO decision by September 30, 2016, with the plans going into effect on January 1, 2017.

FirstEnergy is a diversified energy company dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or online at www.firstenergycorp.com.

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.