News Release

Consumers' electric rates in hands of PUCO after Governor Strickland signs energy policy legislationMay. 01, 2008
The signing of Senate Bill 221, Ohio's energy policy legislation, puts the future of residential customers' electric rates in the hands of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). As rules are proposed and rate plans are considered, the OCC will continue to advocate for and protect the interests of Ohio's residential ratepayers.
New pricing structure could save money for Ohio's Vectren natural gas customersApr. 30, 2008
Vectren customers in the Miami Valley will have the potential to save money through changes in the way their natural gas is priced.
Electric legislation passed today contains mixed results for residential consumersApr. 23, 2008
The OCC's initial review of the electric legislation passed today shows that some of the key safeguards the agency has advocated for on behalf of Ohio's 4.5 million households have been adopted while other important safeguards were not.
Customer service issues to be resolved by Aqua OhioApr. 18, 2008
The OCC came to an agreement with Aqua Ohio that is designed to improve customer service and other issues facing its water customers.
Consumers' Counsel supports advanced energy provisions but disappointed in versions of overall energy policy billApr. 15, 2008
Ohio and its residential consumers would benefit from the General Assembly passing the advanced energy portions of Senate Bill 221, Ohio's energy policy legislation. The OCC recommended that the remainder of Senate Bill 221 be significantly changed if it is passed by the House and sent to a legislative conference committee in its current form.
Ohio House version of energy bill adds OCC recommendations to protect consumersApr. 10, 2008
The OCC is optimistic about a new version of Senate Bill 221, Ohio's energy policy legislation. The OCC had recommended changes to the original legislation that would ensure residents would be provided the lowest cost energy option and adopt renewable and energy efficiency standards to provide Ohioans with a diverse portfolio of energy resources.
Safety issues with natural gas risers to be resolved at reduced costsApr. 09, 2008
The approval of an agreement among Columbia Gas of Ohio, the OCC and other stakeholders will result in natural gas riser safety issues being resolved at a reduced cost to residential consumers.
Ohio Consumers' Counsel says FirstEnergy's rate increase request should be reduced by more than $300 millionMar. 28, 2008
The OCC requests that a proposed distribution rate increase by FirstEnergy be cut by more than $300 million and a new investigation be opened to address the utility's service reliability.
Dominion East Ohio natural gas changes subject of three local public hearingsMar. 27, 2008
Public hearings will be held by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to give residential consumers the opportunity to voice their opinions on changes to the method Dominion East Ohio uses to purchase natural gas. The changes would result in a competitive auction process to obtain natural gas supply for customers.
Energy shutoff moratorium ending, but heating help is still availableMar. 14, 2008
With a special 90-day moratorium on shutoffs ending on March 18, the OCC wants as many residents as possible to avoid disconnection and alerts them that assistance programs are available.
Ohio Consumers' Counsel reacts to Supreme Court decision on AEP's proposed IGCC plantMar. 14, 2008
The OCC is pleased with the decision handed down by the Ohio Supreme Court concerning the collection of costs for American Electric Power's proposed integrated gas combined cycle power plant.
Ohio Consumers' Counsel's statement on selection of Cheryl Roberto as PUCO CommissionerMar. 07, 2008
The OCC reacts to the appointment of Cheryl Roberto to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.
Ohio Consumers' Counsel reacts to Supreme Court of Ohio decisions on AT&T, Cincinnati Bell basic rate flexibilityMar. 06, 2008
The OCC reacts to the Supreme Court of Ohio's decisions on AT&T and Cincinnati Bell basic local service "alternative regulation."
Consumers' Counsel pleased with $250,000 penalty against Verizon for missing service benchmarksMar. 05, 2008
The OCC reacts to Verizon being held accountable for missing service quality benchmarks.
Agreement on Duke Energy natural gas rate case would cut base rate increase by nearly halfFeb. 29, 2008
An agreement reached involving some of the major issues within Duke Energy's natural gas rate case would benefit residential consumers by trimming the increase proposed by the utility. The OCC and all other parties involved in the case signed the agreement, which must receive the approval of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) Commissioners before going into effect.
Vectren natural gas changes subject of two local public hearingsFeb. 27, 2008
Public hearings will be held by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to give residential consumers the opportunity to voice their opinions on changes to the method Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio uses to purchase natural gas.
Ohio Consumers' Counsel supports House Speaker Husted's renewable energy and energy efficiency measuresFeb. 21, 2008
The OCC supports measures introduced to improve Ohio's use of renewable energy and help lower consumers' demand for electricity
Consumers receive local public hearings on proposed FirstEnergy rate increaseFeb. 13, 2008
The OCC encourages residential consumers of FirstEnergy to participate in upcoming local public hearings by testifying on the electric utility's proposed rate increase. A total of 12 hearings have been scheduled from March 5 through March 24.
Aqua Ohio consumers receive public hearings on proposed rate increaseFeb. 05, 2008
The OCC encourages residential consumers of Aqua Ohio to participate in local public hearings Feb. 25 and 27 by testifying on the water utility's proposed rate increase.
Consumers receive local public hearings on proposed Duke Energy rate increaseFeb. 04, 2008
The OCC encourages residential customers of Duke Energy-Ohio to participate in local public hearings scheduled for February 21 and 25 on the utility's natural gas rate increase request.
Ohio Consumers' Counsel opposes Duke Energy natural gas base rate increaseJan. 29, 2008
The OCC believes a proposed rate increase for Duke Energy Ohio's natural gas customers is unreasonable and should be rejected. When all components of Duke's plan are considered, the case could cost all customers (residential, commercial and industrial) $500 million over the next several years.
Rate increase request should be dismissed for Ohio American Water's customers in Franklin and Portage countiesJan. 24, 2008
The OCC has asked the PUCO to reconsider its decision which approved a more complicated and lengthy public notice by Ohio American Water. The approval also allowed the application to increase rates to be considered for Franklin and Portage counties even though OAW has failed to fulfill its commitments to resolve the poor quality of water.
Ohio Consumers' Counsel opposes FirstEnergy distribution rate increases; many customers' rates should go downJan. 10, 2008
The OCC believes a proposed distribution rate increase for FirstEnergy's residential customers is unreasonable. According to the OCC's experts, distribution rates should go down - not up - in two of FirstEnergy's Ohio operating companies (Cleveland Electric Illuminating and Ohio Edison). The increases should be reduced from those filed by the third company (Toledo Edison).
Cincinnati Bell customers' rates increase for second consecutive yearJan. 08, 2008
The OCC alerts customers that Cincinnati Bell Telephone has increased monthly rates for basic local telephone service in the Cincinnati and Hamilton exchanges for the second year in a row.

arrow_rt Click to read archived press releases.
Information believed accurate but not guaranteed.
For information about our privacy policy and copyright, visit our Legal Disclaimer page.
The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel is an equal opportunity employer and provider of services.
Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel - Your Residential Utility Consumer Advocate OCC Seal Home En Español Search Ask Utility Questions Action Alerts