Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

2006 Annual Report

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30th Anniversary Timeline

1976	Law was enacted in 1976 to create the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel.
1977	William Spratley, 30, was appointed the first Consumers’ Counsel.
1978	Residential utility consumers’ bill of rights adopted by OCC Governing Board.
1980	Action by the OCC resulted in disconnection standards for all utility companies.
1983	Played a significant role in the creation of the Percentage of Income Payment Plan.
1985	OCC legal victories at the Supreme Court of Ohio led to refunds for many electric and telephone customers.
1987	OCC was able to get Northern Ohio residents $61 million in credits after mismanagement caused an accident at Davis-Besse nuclear power plant.
1988	OCC secures refunds for residents of Northeast Ohio after mismanagement and cost overruns at Perry nuclear power plant ($568 million).
1990	Participated in an audit of Centerior Energy Corporation that produced a savings of $98.2 million, reducing scheduled rate hikes for customers of Toledo Edison and Cleveland Electric Illuminating.
1991	The OCC reached agreement with Dayton Power & Light to cut a proposed rate hike from $186 million to $57 million.
1993	In a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, the OCC along with state regulators won $140 million in credits for natural gas consumers.
1994	Robert S. Tongren was appointed Consumers’ Counsel.
1995	Information provided by the OCC to Congress was used to reauthorize the Safe Drinking Water Act.
2002	Efforts by the OCC resulted in $2.3 million in credits for Columbia Gas customers relating to an interstate pipeline issue.
2003	Negotiated a credit of $3.3 million to Dominion East Ohio customers due to customers being overcharged.
2004	Janine Migden-Ostrander was selected as the third Consumers’ Counsel.
2005	The OCC co-sponsored a study that detailed the benefits of energy efficiency programs.
2006	OCC successfully argued at the Supreme Court of Ohio against decisions by state regulators relating to American Electric Power, FirstEnergy and Cincinnati Gas & Electric’s Rate Stabilization Plans.

Home 30 Years of Advocacy Historical Facts

OCC has had to cancel many of its services, including its consumer call center, due to recent budget cuts. We realize you may continue to need assistance with your utility services. OCC's website provides free access to publications and resources.

You may seek assistance with utility complaints from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio: 800-686-7826. For complaints about non-utility related services, you may call the Ohio Attorney General at 800-282-0515.