In another setback for smart grid, the Ohio Public Utilities Commission issued a decision yesterday that approved First Energy’s “Smart Grid Modernization Initiative”, but deferred from approving cost recovery until the PUC rules on a separate proceeding.
Reportedly, it could take months before the PUC renders a decision on cost recovery, and First Energy has reportedly halted its deployment temporarily, until the matter of cost recovery is resolved. The issue could also threaten $36 million in DOE smart grid grants, which First Energy just signed onto at the beginning of June. The Ohio PUC decision comes a week after the Maryland PSC issued a decision rejecting Baltimore Gas & Electric’s smart grid deployment plan.