The Kentucky Public Service Commission is ending most of the Big Rivers demand-side management programs that encourage consumers to reduce the use of electricity.
The programs funded energy efficiency improvements including upgrades to lighting, replacing inefficient clothes washers, refrigerators and maintaining HVAC systems.
The Big Rivers, Jackson Purchase Energy and Meade County Rural Electric Cooperative Corporations filed the request. The utilities stated in their filing that the majority of the programs were no longer cost-effective. In a release, the PSC said this will save approximately $750,000 a year.
The corporations proposed phasing out programs providing financial incentives for installation of high-efficiency residential or commercial HVAC systems, installation of high-efficiency commercial or industrial lighting and for high-efficiency outdoor lighting.
Big Rivers proposed a new program to assist low-income ratepayers with home weatherization which will have an annual budget of $250,000.
The PSC denied a program to educate consumers about energy efficiency saying that Big Rivers provided no specifics about program content, cost or effectiveness.
Certain programs were approved for immediate discontinuation in July and they ended in August.
The complete phasing out of the programs goes into effect in June 2019.
