PUCO, Vectren and PIPP

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) issued a Finding and Order yesterday that partly approved and partly modified Vectren’s proposed transition plan. Under these plans, utilities provide a roadmap for how they will restart […]

The HB-6 Circus Continues

You’ve probably heard about the indictment of Speaker Householder. Here’s a good story on it.

As you know, HB 6 ended the authority to recover funding for the […]

Ohio Utility COVID-19 Transition Plans

Ohio’s utilities are restarting their energy efficiency and weatherization assistance programs in phases. The following provides program restart details:

What are the health benefits of energy efficiency?

Dave Rinebolt, the Executive Director of Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy, explains the many health benefits of making homes more energy efficient, as well as the impact his organization […]

Gallia-Meigs: Energy Efficiency Job Success Story

Gallia-Meigs: Energy Efficiency Job Success Story written by:

Ramond Johnson
Gallia-Meigs Community Action Agency
Lead Energy Specialist

Christina of Middleport, Ohio was like most individuals of the area awaiting help with heating bills from […]

AEP and DP&L: Prospects for Future Funding

Dayton Power & Light’s Smart Energy Community Program (still don’t like that name) is back into the field. AEP’s Community Assistance Program is slated to reopen on […]

HB 246 Threatens Due Process

Representative Nino Vitale is back at it. The legislator, who was quoted last winter suggesting that poor people who couldn’t heat their homes would be motivated to work, and who has […]

Weatherization Programs Continue to Reopen

First, the Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) and the Electric Partnership Program reopened. Now DP&L has reopened, with AEP and FirstEnergy scheduled to reopen on July 1^st, and Columbia Gas on July 13^th. […]

New Summer Crisis Program Guidelines Issued

It is going to be a busy summer once utility moratoria are lifted. Based on feedback from agencies, applications remain steady but the applications have yet to reflect the huge numbers of newly unemployed. Agencies […]

2020 Home Weatherization Assistance Program State Plan

COMMENTS
of
David C. Rinebolt
Executive Director
on the
PY 2020 HOME WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
STATE PLAN

I. Introduction

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on the proposed Program Year 2020 Home Weatherization Assistance Program State Plan and the […]

FY 2021 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

RE: FY 2021 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Waiver Request

Dear Ms. Meadows:

OPAE wishes to notify you that the organization and its members support the LIHEAP waiver request as drafted. We support the expansion of […]

Ohio gas rate cases threaten efficiency programs for low-income families

The following ran in Energy News Network on April 15, 2020; Author Kathiann M. Kowalski

The state consumer advocate says the COVID-19 pandemic justifies diverting funds into bill payment programs.

Ohio’s consumer advocate is […]

HANNAH REPORT: OPAE Blasts OCC Push to Divert Energy Efficiency Funds to Hurting Consumers

The following ran in the Ohio Hannah Report; April 7, 2020

COLUMBUS, OH – Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy (OPAE) accused the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) Tuesday of exploiting the coronavirus crisis to push its long-term […]

Ohio Consumers’ Counsel proposes eliminating all efficiency programs offered by Columbia Gas and Vectren

Columbia has requested to adjust the funding rider for its DSM proposal. Vectren has asked for approval of its voluntary DSM portfolio for 2021-2023. Two different cases, but a common problem: the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel […]

OPAE Negotiating Dayton Power & Light Smart Grid Settlement

OPAE is currently in negotiations with the Company on a settlement of its smart grid proposal. DP&L proposes to spend around $800 million on Phase I of a three-part implementation plan. Phase I includes Distribution […]

AEP Ohio Base Rate Proceedings

The Company took the first step in what will be a long base rate proceeding, filing a motion to establish a test-year and waiving certain filing requirements. A base rate case is the traditional approach […]

COVID-19 Supplementals

The COVID-19 3^rd Supplemental provided an additional $900 million for HEAP and $1 billion for CSBG. This is all good.

Congress is now feuding over a 4^th and 5^th supplemental. The first volley was fired by […]

Ohio’s Consumers Need Help but the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel Prefers to Cut Funds and Kill Jobs

Nonprofits that help customers afford their utility bills know what is needed. The Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) may be the watchdog for Ohio’s utilities customers, but its recent proposals to kill energy efficiency programs will […]

Community Action Partnership Updates – March 31, 2020

The following content was provided by the national Community Action Partnership and Community Economic Development:

Public Policy Update

Last week, Congress passed emergency legislation (CARE) to deal with the national coronavirus outbreak. Included […]

Weatherization Resources

The Ohio Weatherization Training Center has pulled together some online training resources:

WAPTAC– If you open any of the tabs it has numerous power point presentations, information, quizzes

https://nascsp.org/wap/waptac/doe-trainings-tools/wap-standardized-curricula/

Coronavirus Update – PUCO suspends in-home services

Today, the Commission issued an order requiring “in-home audits, weatherization programs, in-premises inspections not prompted by an identified safety-related concern, and other similar initiatives”, to be suspended for the duration of the emergency. Utilities are […]

Chairman Pai Launches the Keep American Connected Pledge

Pai Calls on Broadband and Telephone Service Providers to Promote Connectivity for Americans Impacted by the Disruptions Caused by the Coronavirus Pandemic WASHINGTON, March 13, 2020—Yesterday, in multiple phone calls with broadband and telephone service […]