Residential Members Can Now Sign Up for a New Interruptible Rate

Do you want a lower electric bill?  If so, then an interruptible rate may be right for you!

DS&O now has an option for all residential members who wish to lower their summer electric bill and eliminate the Red Zone (Monday – Friday, 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., in July and August).  The interruptible rate allows DS&O to turn off your power during a summer peak event, in order to help the cooperative shed load.  In return, DS&O will pay you for load you save the cooperative, plus you will keep a lower kWh rate year-round.

Over the past three years, DS&O tested the interruptible rate with a pilot program.  Due to the overwhelming positive results of the pilot program, it is now time to open the program up to all our residential members and save even more.

Let’s look at some of the details of the new interruptible rate …

• The advantage of this rate is simple - it will save you money.  You no longer need to worry about using electricity during the Red Zone, when kWh charges are higher.  Your rate will stay at the lower kWh charge for the entire year.  You will also receive an incentive for allowing DS&O to turn off your power when a peak event is called.  Last year, the average participant in the pilot program saved over $100.00, due to the combination of the lower kWh charges and the incentive.
• By going on the interruptible rate, you will be allowing DS&O to disconnect your meter at any time between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, during the months of July and August.  With the pilot programs, DS&O disconnected the participating meters an average of five times total, usually from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Now, due to recent changes in how DS&O is being billed by its energy supplier (KEPCo), we anticipate shutting off power mostly from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., occasionally from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and rarely from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  For planning purposes, we are anticipating 10 shut off events this year, but that number could vary.  It mostly depends on hot weather.
• At least 30 minutes prior to shutting off your power, DS&O will send you notice by text and/or email to the number and/or email address you provide.
• You will receive a bill credit of $25.00 for each kW saved on peak day.  With the pilot program, the average participant saved about 4 kW.  For the new rate, that average of 4 kW saved would provide the participant with a $100.00 bill credit.  The credit will be applied to the bill the you receive in September.

Because this is a voluntary rate, you must request to be put on this rate.  For more information on this rate and others, please visit dsoelectric.com and select “About Us” on the menu and choose “Rates” and “Bylaws/Rules & Regulations”.

If this sounds like something you might be interested in, please call the DS&O office at

800-376-3533 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, to visit with a member services representative.