ASHLAND, Ky.– New energy efficiency programs are under development for Kentucky Power customers to help lower electric usage and bills. As part of the approval process, Kentucky Power will file its Demand-Side Management (DSM) proposal with the Kentucky Public Service Commission on May 1.
The proposal includes a Home Energy Improvement Program and Commercial Energy Solutions Program. Both programs provide energy audits performed by professional contractors for qualified residential and commercial customers to identify cost saving opportunities and offer incentives for upgrading to more energy efficient products.
“Outdated heating and cooling equipment, as well as insufficient weatherization, can increase the energy burden and place additional pressure on economically vulnerable residential customers,” said Barry Nolen, customer and distribution services manager. “Simply put, reducing electric usage can reduce a customer’s bill. We urge all customers to find ways to use electricity more efficiently and we know these programs will help.”
The proposal also includes the expansion of the Targeted Energy Efficiency program (TEE) through supplemental funding from the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Readiness Fund. The expansion will help address health, safety or structural issues in a home that would otherwise prevent participation in the Weatherization Assistance Program and the TEE program. The expansion will also provide more support for Community Action agencies, which have managed the program for Kentucky Power for nearly 30 years.
If approved, the impact on the monthly bill of a residential customer using an average of 1,140 kWh per month would be 56 cents.
“Kentucky Power is committed to the region and to being an essential community partner,” Nolen said. “Through these programs we are able to provide more assistance for lower-income customers by offering effective solutions for energy savings, which will translate into a cost savings.”
Kentucky Power, with headquarters in Ashland, provides electric service to approximately 163,000 customers in 20 eastern Kentucky counties, including Boyd, Breathitt, Carter, Clay, Elliott, Floyd, Greenup, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Leslie, Letcher, Lewis, Magoffin, Martin, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Rowan. Kentucky Power is an AEP company, one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity and custom energy solutions to 5.4 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system. AEP’s headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio.