Since 2004, the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) continues
to advocate on behalf of the state's residential utility customers. As
a result of the OCC's efforts, consumers will benefit from:
- An agreement among the OCC, the staff of the
Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) and nine other parties
with Cincinnati Gas & Electric to reduce a proposed distribution
rate increase by $26 million.
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- $8 million to be credited to customers after
a management performance audit was conducted of Vectren Energy
Delivery of Ohio's purchasing practices and the rates it charged
consumers. The OCC supported the PUCO auditor's recommendations
for $5 million to be credited, and through its own review found
that an additional $4.5 million also was due to consumers. A rehearing
of the audit resulted in the PUCO reducing the credits to $8 million.
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- Secured $25 million in 2005 for FirstEnergy
customers over the period 2006-2008 for energy efficiency programs.
Another $3 million will be used for residential customer energy
efficiency programs in which the OCC will help determine the best
benefits for consumers.
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- Sponsored, along with many organizations throughout
the Midwest, the 2005 study by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient
Economy. It showed residential consumers could save approximately
$1.2 billion on their energy bills through 2010 - with projections
to 2020 - if Ohio's major natural gas and electric companies implement
energy efficient programs that include more energy efficient new
home construction and rebates on the purchase of more efficient
furnaces. The report also showed a significant boost in the economy
in terms of jobs when the programs are utilized.
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- Protected consumers from paying more than $235,000
in transmission costs that Cincinnati Gas & Electric attempted
to collect without proper authority. In addition, CG&E was
ordered to apply a federally-mandated refund to its transmission
rates. As the OCC suggested, a review process was also established
to guarantee that future transmission costs are scrutinized at
the PUCO.
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- Advocated for increased income guidelines for
the working poor that may not have otherwise qualified for the
state's energy assistance programs. The OCC also has focused its
efforts toward assisting other groups, including the visually impaired,
advocating for large print and Braille utility bill formats. Ongoing
dialogue with other consumer groups and agencies has been established
to address these issues.
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- Increased outreach to minority groups, including
the Spanish-speaking and Somali populations, who have significant
and growing communities in Ohio.
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- Developed the Action Alerts Network so consumers
will be aware of utility issues and how they will be able to voice
their opinions to create positive change.
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- Increased participation from the OCC on decisions
made at the national level that can affect rates and services for
Ohio's residential utility consumers.
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- Research the OCC has engaged in to realize
the opportunities of energy efficiency and renewable energy in
Ohio. The efforts of the OCC have led to more funding to help low-income
customers of Northeast Ohio Natural Gas make energy-efficient improvements
to their homes.
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- Prevented the telephone industry from the potential
to increase basic local telephone service rates up to 20 percent
per year. The OCC's advocacy efforts helped to scale back the maximum
monthly increase for basic telephone service to $1.25 per year.
For most customers, the increase would be less than half of what
was originally proposed.
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Information believed accurate but not guaranteed.
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The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel is an equal opportunity employer
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Office
of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel - Your Residential Utility Consumer
Advocate