The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has adopted an order setting funding and provisions for ratepayer-funded energy efficiency programs at AEP Ohio, adopting a stipulation among the parties which includes provisions addressing certain concerns regarding the originally proposed smart thermostat rebates raised by IGS Energy.
Under the stipulation, incentives for eligible smart thermostats in the 2017-20 plan will be $75 for non-electrically heated homes and $100 for electrically heated homes in 2017; provided, however, that incentives will not exceed the cost of an eligible smart thermostat
Under the stipulation, AEP Ohio agrees to work with IGS Energy on a streamlined incentive process for eligible smart thermostats. IGS agrees that all energy and demand reductions will be fully attributable to AEP Ohio, and IGS agrees to work with AEP Ohio in a mutually agreed manner to ensure that customers know that the customer incentives are made available by AEP Ohio.
AEP Ohio agrees to reach out to Columbia Gas to explore potential for a streamlined rebate process for customers eligible for smart thermostat incentives from both AEP Ohio and Columbia Gas. However, the combined AEP Ohio and Columbia Gas incentives will not exceed the cost of an eligible smart thermostat.
AEP Ohio commits to making available at least $1 million per year in incentives for smart thermostats