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Staff Supports Utility’s Residential Opt-In TOU Standard Offer Rates
Staff recommends only minor modification to on-peak hours
On April 24, 2026 Staff of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, Staff filled its Staff Review and Recommendation proposing that the Commission should approve the application of Dayton Power and Light Company, d/b/a AES Ohio to implement opt-in time-of-use (TOU) standard offer rates on a pilot basis, with only one minor modification.
The only modification Staff recommends is to modify the on-peak hours to 8am to 10 pm.
As background, on June 30, 2025, the utility filed an application to implement time-of-use (TOU) Standard Offer Rates (SOR) through a pilot program of a maximum of 500 residential customers on an opt-in basis.
This matter arose as part of a Stipulation regarding the Company’s application concerning the utility’s Smart Grid Phase I plan. The TOU rate pilot included that they are to be offered only on an opt-in basis, the generation related costs of the TOU proposal shall remain fully bypassable, and that the TOU rates would request to be withdrawn once AES Ohio is notified that there are at least three different suppliers offering time-varying products using AMI data.
From Staff’s Review:
“In its review, Staff examined the proposed tariffs, as well as the workpapers supporting for consistency with Commission Orders and to ensure proper accounting and regulatory treatment was applied. Staff conducted its review through a combination of document reviews and interrogatories.
Staff reviewed the Company’s proposed timing for on and off peak hours. AES proposed using 8am to 8pm for On-Peak hours, but stated they believed the hours for on-peak were set in an Opinion and Order from Case No. 83-37-EL-FEC. Given that customer usage patterns may have changed significantly since 1983, Staff reviewed historical load usage for AES from 2021 to 2026. Staff discovered that the load during weekdays did not significantly decline until after 10 pm. Staff also discovered that by adding additional hours for on peak, it decreases the difference in total usage between on and off-peak times. Therefore, Staff recommends modifying the On-Peak hours to 8am to 10 p.m.”
