The Kentucky Public Service Commission says it has has authorized the discontinuation of nearly all demand-side management programs conducted by Big Rivers Electric Corp. and its member distribution cooperatives.
In an order issued Wednesday, the PSC approved a request by Big Rivers, Jackson Purchase Energy Corp., and Meade County Rural Electric Cooperative Corp. (RECC) to end the programs. The utilities said in their filing that the majority of the programs were no longer cost-effective.
Jackson Purchase Energy and Meade County RECC are two of the three distribution cooperatives that own and purchase electricity from Big Rivers. The third, Kenergy Corp., received PSC approval in July to discontinue its DSM programs.
DSM programs are authorized under Kentucky law and are intended to reduce or defer the need for new electric generating capacity by encouraging ratepayers to reduce usage, often by providing financial incentives to do so. Big Rivers’ DSM programs are funded through base rates paid by residential, commercial, and all but the largest industrial customers.
The now discontinued programs offered incentives for upgrades to high-efficiency lighting; replacement of inefficient clothes washers and refrigerators; tune-up maintenance of residential and commercial heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; home weatherization; and general energy efficiency improvements.
You can read the entire order at psc.ky.gov. The case number is 2017-00236.
