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Procedural Schedule Set in Utility’s Default Service Matter

Includes New Data Center Procurement Requirements

Category: Ohio

On August 24, 2026, an Ohio Administrative law Judge (ALJ) issued a notice setting the procedural schedule in AES Ohio (Dayton Power & Light) filed an application to implement a new market rate offer (MRO) for default service, including a separate SSO procurement for data centers.

The administrative law judge (ALJ) finds it appropriate to set the following procedural schedule:

  • Staff shall investigate and file a Staff Report and any applicable recommendations by October 16, 2026.
  • Motions to intervene in this proceeding shall be filed by October 23, 2026.
  • A prehearing conference will be held on October 28, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in Hearing Room 11-C at the offices of the Commission, 180 East Broad Street, 11th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215-3793. The purpose of the conference will be to discuss procedural aspects of the case and to provide an opportunity to conduct settlement discussions.
  • All intervenor direct expert testimony must be filed by November 2, 2026.
  • The evidentiary hearing in this proceeding will commence on November 12, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., in Hearing Room 11-A at the offices of the Commission, 180 East Broad Street, 11th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215-3793, and continue from day-to-day until completed. Absent unforeseen or emergency circumstances, all expert witnesses in this proceeding are expected to appear and provide testimony in person.”

As reported previously, under the utility’s proposal, all data center customers would share the administrative costs of the separate data center auction, including customers taking competitive retail supply. For shopping data centers, these costs would be recovered through a flat per-customer charge. Data center default service would be priced based on hourly PJM prices plus an adder established through a competitive auction.

For other SSO customers, AES Ohio proposes to continue its existing competitive procurement structure using twice-annual auctions and a mix of 12-and 24-month full-requirements contracts, with procurements extending through 5/31/32.