RESA Commends the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio's Decision to Approve Duke Energy Ohio's Rate Plan: Decision Will Lead To The Continued Development of Competition For The Benefit of Consumers

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Retail Energy Supply Association (RESA), the leading national trade association of retail energy suppliers committed to the advocacy of vibrant and sustainable competitive energy markets, commends the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) for entering an Order today that approves a settlement agreement regarding a rate plan for Duke Energy Ohio (Duke). The multi-faceted agreement was negotiated among a diverse group and was widely supported by industry stakeholders.  The PUCO's decision will bring the benefits of the competitive marketplace to an even greater number of consumers.

"This agreement will lead to a more transparent and workable market structure that will spur the further development of retail and wholesale competition to the benefit of Duke's Ohio customers," said David Fein, President of RESA. "With retail competition in the Duke service territory at already substantial levels, the terms of the settlement are structured to maintain the long-term viability of competition and enhance the value it delivers to all customers. We commend the Commission for their decision."

Elements of the Order adopted today include:

• the use of a competitive wholesale procurement process to establish the Standard Service Offer (SSO) price,
• the transfer of Duke's legacy generation assets into a separate subsidiary, and
• the development of a variety of retail market enhancements including the provision of more and better data and information, web-access to such data and information, and a more cooperative relationship between Duke and the competitive suppliers operating in the region.

The Order also requires that all energy efficiency programs or rebates provided by Duke are available on the same terms and conditions to customers, regardless of whether they purchase their generation from Duke or a competitive supplier, that access to data and information from the rollout of enhanced metering technologies is done on a competitively neutral basis, a reduction in switching fees, that bill-ready billing be made functional as soon as commercially and reasonably practicable, and that a collaborative process regarding electric vehicles be commenced.

"The Commission's decision today sends a strong signal to market participants that Ohio policymakers are committed to the competitive market model and that the PUCO wishes to be a steadying force in the continued evolution of the competitive electric market," said David Fein. "These retail market enhancements coupled with the more transparent and competitive process for establishing Duke's rates will benefit residential, commercial, industrial and governmental customers in the Duke Energy Ohio territory and serve as an example to other Ohio utilities. Today's settlement is another positive step forward for consumers."

More than 12 million Americans are shopping in the competitive energy markets across the United States. In restructured markets across the country, competitive wholesale and retail markets spur efficiencies and put downward pressure on prices. The competitive energy market today provides consumers with a wide array of billing, price and energy supply options, as well as certain value-added products and services.

About RESA

RESA's members include:  Champion Energy Services, LLC; ConEdison Solutions; Constellation NewEnergy, Inc.; Direct Energy Services, LLC; Energetix, Inc.; Exelon Energy Company; GDF SUEZ Energy Resources NA, Inc.; Green Mountain Energy Company; Hess Corporation; Integrys Energy Services, Inc.; Just Energy; Liberty Power; MC Squared Energy Services, LLC; Mint Energy, LLC; MXenergy; NextEra Energy Services; Noble Americas Energy Solutions LLC; PPL EnergyPlus, LLC; Reliant and TriEagle Energy, L.P..  The comments expressed in this filing represent the position of RESA as an organization but may not represent the views of any particular member of RESA. . For more information, contact RESA Executive Director Tracy McCormick at (717) 566-5405 or go to www.RESAUSA.org.

SOURCE Retail Energy Supply Association (RESA)