Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

Governing Board Chairman Message

In 2008, the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) exemplified its role as the residential utility consumer advocate. From its participation in the legislative process during debates over Ohio’s new electric policy law to its work at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to protect consumers from higher rates and inadequate service, the OCC met many challenges over the past year.

At a time of economic hardships, home foreclosures and high unemployment, residential consumers needed the OCC to present their voices on electric, natural gas, telecommunications and water issues. Consumers’ Counsel Janine Migden-Ostrander and her professional staff were faced with a large volume of cases in each industry, some of which were on fast-paced timelines. The agency worked quickly and diligently to represent the interests of Ohio’s 4.5 million residential consumer households.

Of particular importance was the work involved in the passage of Amended Senate Bill 221, the electric policy law, and subsequent electric security plan cases for Ohio’s investor-owned electric utilities. The OCC’s hard work and collaboration with the environmental community paid off, as the legislation included renewable energy and energy efficiency standards that utilities must attain. Benchmarks to ensure utilities’ continual progress toward meeting long-term goals in these areas, and penalties for noncompliance, were the result of the OCC’s and other stakeholders’ dedication to moving Ohio forward to diversify its energy portfolio.

The OCC’s collaboration with other consumer organizations and environmental groups has brought a united voice to the PUCO on recent electric issues through the creation of Ohio Consumer and Environmental Advocates (OCEA). Such joint efforts send a strong message to state regulators and have the solid support of the Governing Board.

Beyond the regulatory filings produced by OCEA, the group also participated in educational forums throughout the state providing residential consumers with information about their utility’s proposed rate plan and encouraging customer participation through testimony at the PUCO’s local public hearings and letters to the state regulators.

The OCC’s efforts in the area of energy efficiency also produced significant accomplishments within the natural gas industry. By the end of 2008, the four largest natural gas utilities were committed to energy efficiency efforts as a result of the OCC’s negotiations with the utilities.

In the telecommunications industry, the OCC has consistently opposed efforts to dilute Ohio’s Minimum Telephone Service Standards. The OCC also resisted efforts by several large local telephone companies to move to “alternative regulation” for basic telephone services. Alternative regulation enables eligible companies to raise basic rates each year in an exchange if the PUCO decides it is open to competition and that residential customers have reasonably available alternatives. The telecommunications experts at the OCC spent considerable time and effort analyzing companies’ alternative regulation applications, asserting that many of the requests did not demonstrate that competitive choices existed for basic local telephone services.

The OCC and the Governing Board continue to advocate that broadband technology be available to all residential consumers across the state. Broadband connections have become increasingly required to use some applications over the Internet, including the Internet-based telephone service known as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). Broadband access increases economic development and improves the quality of life in communities across Ohio. I look forward to following the OCC’s work in 2009 as part of the Ohio Broadband Council.

Through its effective outreach and education efforts across Ohio, the OCC has maintained solid partnerships with consumers, stakeholders and community assistance agencies as it has strived to represent the consumer households for which it advocates. The agency also has presented its point of view on critical utility matters and energy efficiency efforts to print and broadcast media and has maintained a high public profile during weather emergencies as well as public debate over the future of Ohio’s energy policy.

The OCC’s Consumer Services Division continues to serve thousands of Ohioans on an individual basis, as we help them avoid utility service disconnections, answer their questions and provide them with needed information.

On behalf of the Governing Board, I extend our gratitude to Gov. Ted Strickland and the Ohio General Assembly, as well as to the Office of the Ohio Attorney General and the Ohio Department of Development, for their support of the mission of this agency and their commitment to residential consumers in Ohio.

The year 2008 kept Consumers’ Counsel Janine Migden-Ostrander, Deputy Consumers’ Counsel Bruce Weston and the hard-working staff at the OCC busy as they worked passionately to represent the interests of residential consumers. I wish to thank them for all of their efforts, congratulate them on their successes over the past year and look forward to 2009’s accomplishments. The Governing Board has confidence the OCC will continue to excel in all of its endeavors.

Home Consumers' Counsel Message Governing Board

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.