Bill > SB103

This bill allows alternative rate plans for large natural gas customers and makes several changes to utility regulation in Ohio. Specifically, the bill creates a new framework for natural gas companies to develop alternative rate plans for customers who consume more than 1.2 million Mcf (thousand cubic feet) of natural gas in a twelve-month period. Under these alternative rate plans, natural gas companies can enter into commercial agreements with large load customers that support economic development, with several key protections for other customers. The plans must ensure that existing customers do not pay any direct or indirect costs associated with the large load customer's infrastructure investments, and require a monthly cost credit to compensate other customers for the large customer's use of the company's system. The bill also requires that such alternative rate plans do not result in base rate increases and cannot recover costs from other customers. Additionally, the bill makes various technical changes to how utility valuations, test periods, and rate cases are conducted, expanding provisions that were previously limited to electric companies to include natural gas, water, and sewage disposal companies. Commercial agreements under these alternative rate plans will be automatically approved unless the Public Utilities Commission finds them inconsistent with the law within 90 days, and the alternative rate plan applications themselves will be deemed approved after 90 days unless suspended for good cause.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/sb103