The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has approved Columbia Gas of Ohio’s request to implement demand-side management (DSM) programs, subject to approval of a DSM cost recovery rider proposed in the company’s pending rate case.

The DSM program was part of a stipulation filed in Columbia Gas of Ohio’s gas cost recovery audit proceeding and adopted by the PUCO in January (see Daily GPI, Jan. 24). In addition to the DSM program, the stipulation provided for a $36.5 million credit to customers and a wholesale gas supply auction.

The agreement required Columbia to file a DSM application developed by the company, PUCO staff, the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel and other stakeholders by July 1. The program would be in effect from 2009-2011 and would implement energy efficiency programs for all residential and commercial customers. At the end of 2011 the program is expected to achieve an energy usage reduction of 0.75-1% of Columbia’s total annual residential and commercial jurisdiction tariff sales, adjusted for weather.

Included in the package approved by PUCO this week were programs that will:

A copy of the PUCO finding and order and the stipulation is available at www.PUCO.ohio.gov in the “Docketing Information System” under Case No. 08-833-GA-UNC.

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