In 2022, federal authorities directed all qualifying electric utilities to invite feedback regarding Demand-Response (DR) practices and Electric Vehicle (EV) charging programs and to determine appropriate standards for these programs.

This directive encompassed responsibilities of utilities found in the Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act (PURPA) of 1978 and updated in the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021.

The board further stated that REMC’s current DR and EV programs provide positive financial and environmental incentives to REMC members and the cooperative...

In accordance with this directive, REMC solicited member and public comments through Dec. 31, 2022. As previously advertised, the board of directors considered these comments and all information during regularly scheduled board meetings held in February through August 2023. The Randolph EMC Board of Directors recently issued its determination. The board elected not to adopt new DR or EV standards contained in IIJA. The board recommended that REMC continue with the current programs, while assessing any new concepts, technology and vendors that can improve DR and EV programs and service delivery.

The board further stated that REMC’s current DR and EV programs provide positive financial and environmental incentives to REMC members and the cooperative, since members can reduce or shift energy usage during times of high demand. For instance, electing to charge EVs during off-peak hours associated with time-of-use rates helps participants hold down costs and also benefits the cooperative.

Additionally, programs like Connect to Save provide a technological means for members to reduce their energy consumption. You can view the cooperative’s rate schedule and learn more about the board’s PURPA findings on the REMC website.