Columbus Division of Power Lowers Rates for Commercial Customer Categories
The Columbus Division of Power has announced a 15% reduction in the service charges for Small Commercial and General Commercial customers. The service charge is the “fixed rate” for each customer based on the connection, meter reading, billing and maintenance expenses.
"By reducing these service charges for commercial customers, the Division of Power is better positioning itself to provide the highest quality of service at a competitive price to small businesses in Columbus," said Joe Lombardi, Division of Power Administrator. “The Division will work to continue to find ways to help this critical sector of our economy.”
A Division of Power supported study identified the new, more consistent rate structure to benefit small businesses. The previous rate structure had been in place since 2007. The new fixed monthly service charges are as follows:
Small Commercial Customer: $60.35 (formerly $71)
General Commercial Customer: $56.10 (formerly $66)
“This rate reduction is an important step that will directly impact the bottom line for our diverse small business population,” said Ryan Schick, Columbus’ Small Business Concierge. “Furthermore, it will help attract and retain additional small businesses to Columbus.”
“This is welcome news for small businesses, a critical sector of our Columbus economy,” said Councilmember Michael Stinziano, chair of City Council’s Public Utilities Committee. “Lowering energy costs for small and other businesses will help keep our business climate strong and help our city retain and attract more jobs.”
The Public Utilities Department, under the leadership of new Director Tracie Davies, will continue to review this particular charge and other rate charges to ensure competitiveness in the marketplace.
The Division of Power is a full service, publicly-owned utility that provides electricity service to approximately 13,000 industrial, commercial and residential customers in Columbus. The
division purchases its power from public and private utilities and resells the electricity to its customers wholesale. The revenue from energy sold is used to fund the city’s streetlight program. Currently, the division maintains and operates approximately 55,000 street lights.
For more information, please visit us at www.columbus.gov/utilities/.