OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. filed its initial “Quick Start” plan with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission on Wednesday to provide education, assistance and incentives aimed at helping its customers reduce the amount of electricity they use.

 

OG&E’s filing supports its plan to introduce energy-saving technologies for its customers. At the same time, the company is dedicating resources to development of a more diverse portfolio of generating assets such as wind energy.

 

Last year, OG&E proposed a range of Demand Side Management (DSM) programs to help its customers manage electricity consumption in a time of rapidly increasing electricity usage.

 

“The Commission has made clear it wants us to move forward in establishing ‘Quick Start’ DSM programs while more permanent programs are in development,” said Gary Marchbanks, manager of DSM programs for OG&E.

 

“We agree that we need to get these programs under way by this summer. The Quick Start programs we have identified can be implemented on short notice and have produced positive results when introduced in other states. These programs will help launch broader awareness of the need for energy efficiency and will set the stage for a broad range of future programs and initiatives,” Marchbanks said.

 

OG&E is asking the Commission to allow it to recover the costs associated with these programs. These costs are still being identified, and are expected to be detailed in testimony filed with the Commission on March 28.

 

OG&E proposes to implement a package of seven Quick Start programs by July 1:

 

-        Commercial Lighting

-        Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL)

-        Customized Energy Report

-        Energy Efficiency Education

-        LivingWise® Kits for Schools

-        Motor Replacement

-        Weatherization

 

Commercial Lighting – This program provides incentives to replace inefficient lighting through third-party lighting contractors.

 

Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) – OG&E will help reduce energy usage and demand by increasing the number of CFLs installed by residential customers. In addition to education about how to use and dispose of CFLs, the company will partner with retailers and wholesalers to provide coupons for CFL purchase.

 

Customized Energy Reports – Provides on-line or mailed energy surveys for residential customers. The personalized energy report provides analysis and recommendations of how to save energy

 

Energy Efficiency Education – Offers energy efficiency information to all customers through advertising, direct mail, bill inserts and the company Web site.  The program will deliver relevant, consistent and fuel-neutral information and training that will help customers consume less energy through energy efficiency and conservation measures.

 

LivingWise® Kits for Schools — Supplies teachers and school children with a LivingWise® kit (includes CFL, air filter, aerator, low-flow shower head and night light energy efficiency measures) and a corresponding curriculum. The approach allows children to become more energy aware, and at the same time help educate their families.

 

Motor Replacement – OG&E also will provide incentives for its commercial and industrial customers to replace their inefficient motors for high-efficiency models.

 

Weatherization – Makes available energy efficiency improvements to hard-to-reach, energy inefficient homes.  These improvements may include duct sealing, insulation installation, water heater blanket, windows, refrigerator, dishwasher, washer/dryer, CFL, etc. Various weatherization agencies will be engaged to implement these programs.