Tell the PUCO – Fixed charges shouldn’t block solar

Your utility bill is comprised various types of charges. Some of these charges increase or decrease depending upon how much electricity you use. Other charges, known as fixed charges, do not.

Several Ohio utilities including Dayton Power & Light (DP&L), Duke Energy, and FirstEnergy have asked the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to allow them to increase these charges. Doing so would make it more difficult for Ohioans to go solar. This is because making fixed charges a larger percentage of a customer’s utility bill reduces the amount customers can save by using less energy. This is true if they go solar, or simply try to reduce consumption. This is also why fixed rate charge increases penalize low- and fixed-income users who already struggling to pay their utility bills. Raising fixed charges locks customers into paying more.

We are fighting back, and winning. Utility American Electric Power announced in August that it would withdraw its request for a $10/month fixed rate charge increase. Public pressure was critical in forcing the utility to back down. We need your voice to continue fighting for Ohio ratepayers.

The PUCO is accepting public comment about these proposed changes. Solar United Neighbors of Ohio is organizing solar home owners and businesses and those that care about solar into a unified voice. When we speak together with one voice, we speak louder. Please, sign on to this letter opposing fixed rate charges and tell us why you value your right to go solar.