The average home uses nearly 11,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a year, or 911 kWh a month, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. One kilowatt hour of electricity is equal to watching television for 10 hours.
The fee will help pay for operations at DP&L’s power plants. The company said its plan will help protect customers from volatility in energy prices while promoting economic development by allowing its power plants to continue operations.
“DP&L has always been committed to providing reliable energy at competitive prices, while investing in and supporting the communities where we live and work,” Tom Raga, DP&L president and chief executive officer, said in a release.“If our power plants are forced to close prematurely, Ohioans will have fewer sources of reliable electricity generation, fewer jobs, lost tax revenues and higher electricity prices. This plan reaffirms our commitment to the community, and we are confident it addresses the needs of the region and DP&L.”
Raga said a combination of short-term market conditions and new environmental regulations has placed DP&L’s power plants at risk for premature closure.
The plan includes all of DP&L’s co-owned plants, preserving almost 19,000 direct and indirect jobs and nearly $190 million in annual taxes, including property taxes paid to local schools and governments, the company said in a release. Over the life of the 10-year plan, the power plants will contribute an estimated $26.5 billion in positive economic benefits for Ohio, according to DP&L.
Each year, the charge will reset based on actual market conditions and will be reviewed by the PUCO. Over the life of the plan, the charge is projected by an independent third party to decrease and become a credit to all customer bills, moderating prices, according to DP&L.
PUCO will hold a public hearing before the plan is considered for approval.
DP&L has 515,000 customers in West Central Ohio
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