In this issue:

• OCC Governing Board selects Janine Migden-Ostrander
  as new Consumers' Counsel
• Plan today to save money this summer
• Digital age brings local, long-distance phone alternatives
• Electric metering: Know your rights, responsibilities
• Reading your electric meter
• Learn more about telephone fees
• Q & A: Water standards and consumer safeguards

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OCC Governing Board selects Janine Migden-Ostrander as new Consumers' Counsel

Janine Migden-Ostrander became only the third Consumers' Counsel appointed in the agency's 27-year history and the first woman to hold the office. She began her work as the state's residential utility advocate when she was sworn in this spring.

Prior to being named Consumers' Counsel, Migden-Ostrander was a partner in the law firm of Hahn Loeser & Parks and co-chaired its regulatory practice group.

"Her dynamic experience as an advocate, a leader and an expert in the utility industry will be outstanding assets to the agency," said Jerome Solove, Chairman of the OCC Governing Board, which unanimously appointed Migden-Ostrander to the position.

Migden-Ostrander began her career in public utilities more than 20 years ago at the Ohio Consumers' Counsel, where she served as an administrative assistant before earning a law degree from Capital University. She then was promoted to an Assistant Consumers' Counsel for the agency.

Her work experience also includes serving as Senior Director of Government Affairs for Enron Corporation and as Special Prosecutor for Montgomery County. She has been actively involved in proceedings before numerous state utility commissions, and has monitored activities and worked on policy issues involving the Midwest Regional Transmission Organizations. In addition, she has worked on legislation in numerous states involving a variety of issues including gas and electric deregulation.

Migden-Ostrander has successfully argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals and the Ohio Supreme Court. She also has appeared extensively before the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

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Plan today to save money this summer

Residential consumers can begin planning today to save money on this summer's electric bills. Identifying and completing home improvement projects can take several weeks, so starting the process in the spring will ensure that homes are prepared to keep air conditioning inside and hot air where it belongs - outdoors.

The first step to reducing energy bills this summer is a room-by-room energy audit conducted by the resident or a professional. An energy audit will help identify the most economical ways to produce short and long-term savings. Identify the places in the home where the most energy is lost. For example, inspect the amount and condition of the insulation in the exterior walls, attic and basement. Be sure to look for any holes or cracks that will let cool air leak out this summer.

The next step is to develop an energy plan for making purchases and improvements. List priorities based on the results of the energy audit, amount of money available to invest in improvements and the length of time each project will take to complete.

While every consumers' needs are unique, here are some ideas to consider during the planning process:

Your windows: If windows need to be replaced, up to 15 percent can be saved on energy bills by purchasing EnergyStar® windows. EnergyStar®-qualified products are available in many home improvement stores and meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the federal government.If windows are not sealed properly, caulking and weatherstripping any leaks around the frames and adding window shades will help.

Your insulation: By improving insulation in a home, cooling costs can be reduced by up to 30 percent. Homeowners should clean or replace their air filter at least every two months, remove any debris from the area near the air conditioner and have cooling equipment serviced by a professional at least every two years.

Your landscaping: The layout and design of planting when landscaping can reduce energy bills by 25 to 40 percent. Consider planting a tree or shrub to shade the air conditioning unit and cool the home. Find opportunities to plant trees and shrubs in places that will create shade in the summer. Plant broad-leaf trees on the southern side of a home, where the sun shines the longest.

Your ductwork: The average duct system allows 25 to 40 percent of the energy produced by the furnace, heat pump or air conditioner to escape. Savings can result from repairing holes and sealing joints with silicone caulking and by hiring a trained professional to check the pressure balances.

For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy website at www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo. Also visit Ohio's Office of Energy Efficiency at www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/oee/ or toll free at 1-800-363-3732.

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Digital age brings local, long-distance phone alternatives

Several companies offering local and long-distance telephone service to Ohioans are using cable lines or high-speed Internet access instead of traditional poles and wires. While the use of these technologies provides additional choices and potential savings, important questions remain unanswered about how and by whom these companies should be regulated.

The basics of Internet-based telephone service...

Telephone service over cable or high-speed Internet lines is known as "Voice Over Internet Protocol," or VoIP. Just as graphics, e-mail and video are carried at a fast speed over these lines,technology allows the lines to carry telephone calls. Calls are instantaneously converted to bits of data, transmitted through the digital network and heard by the recipient just the same as a traditional call.

Customers who subscribe to an Internet-based service must connect special equipment (such as an adaptor) to their computer or telephone, however they typically make and receive calls using any standard telephone. Many Internet-based services allow customers to call any telephone, regardless of whether the recipient is a customer of an Internet-based or a traditional telephone company.

As a result of today's technology, calls made using many Internet-based telephone services offer about the same sound quality as traditional telephone calls.

Safeguards may not apply...

The Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) is involved in state and federal proceedings that will determine how Internet-based telephone services are regulated. The OCC believes that these companies should be required to comply with Ohio's Minimum Telephone Service Standards, which include important consumer safeguards.

For example, if Internet-based services are not regulated, these companies might not be required to provide credits to customers if outages are not repaired within 24 hours, as well as many other standard service requirements.

In addition, concerns remain about Internet-based customers' access to emergency "9-1-1" services and any telephone service during a power outage.

The OCC will continue to advocate that all customers receive important protections. For more information or a copy of the OCC's "Know Your Telephone Rights" fact sheet, visit www.pickocc.org or call1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) toll free.

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Electric metering: Know your rights, responsibilities

As we approach the heat of summer, many consumers will rely on electricity to keep them cool. The amount of energy consumers use is reflected each month in their electric bills. Sometimes charges reflect the exact amount of power used and other times the electric company estimates the bill. It is important to understand electric meter readings and how they affect monthly utility bills.

Electric companies are only required to actually read a customer's meter once a year. When a meter is not actually read by an employee of the electric company, an estimate will appear on a consumer's bill based on an average of the previous year's usage.

Since a consumer's meter directly affects the total monthly electric bill, it is important to know that consumers have a right to:

• Request an actual meter reading. If a consumer's usage has been estimated for more than two consecutive billing cycles, he or she can call the company to arrange for an actual meter reading to be taken.

• Have the meter tested to ensure it is working properly. A consumer may ask the electric company to check the meter if he or she believes it is not working properly. The company has 30 days to have the meter tested after which it has 10 business days to provide a written explanation of the test results.

• Make payment arrangements for any back billed amounts as a result of a defective meter. If a meter test reveals that the unit was not working properly or the customer was not billed for the correct amount of electricity, the company is required to offer the consumer at least 12 months to pay back any outstanding amount due.

Consumers who have questions or concerns about their electric meter or monthly utility bill can contact the Ohio Consumers' Counsel toll free at 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622). Consumers can also visit the electric page at www.pickocc.org for additional information.

Verify and track your electric usage to ensure monthly bills are accurate. See "Reading your electric meter" (below) to learn more.

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Reading your electric meter

Double-checking the numbers on electric meters never hurts, especially when it could mean saving money on monthly bills. By learning how to read an electric meter, consumers can monitor their usage and avoid being overcharged or undercharged by the electric company.

Step 1 - Locate the meter. Electric meters are typically found outside the home. The glass-enclosed meter is round in shape and has four dials each displaying the numbers 0 through 9.

Step 2 - From left to right, write down the number indicated by the pointer on each dial. When the pointer is between two numbers, the reading for the dial is the smaller of the two numbers.

Step 3 - Using the four-digit reading, subtract the actual reading number indicated on your last utility bill from the reading just taken. After this initial reading, consumers will be able to track their readings and compare them to their monthly electric bill.

By following these steps, consumers will be able to monitor their usage and verify monthly electric bills to ensure there are no billing errors.

If consumers discover a difference between their reading and the usage number on their electric bill, they should contact the utility company and report the discrepancy.

For more information on how to read an electric meter, contact the Ohio Consumers' Counsel toll free at1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) and online at www.pickocc.org.

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Learn more about telephone fees

Many consumers pay their telephone bill each month without having a clear understanding of each charge. The Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) wants to help Ohioans learn more about the taxes, service fees and other information listed on the bill each month.

Every telephone customer pays:

• Subscriber Line Charge/Federal Access Charge - a fee that helps cover the cost of the wires, and poles long-distance companies use to connect houses to the network.

• Federal tax - a 3 percent tax on all telephone bills levied by the federal government.

• State sales tax - Beginning January 1, all local telephone companies began charging state and county sales tax on the local portion of customers' bills. These charges were approved by the state legislature. Telephone companies may list each tax separately or as one line item on bills.

• Local number portability - a fee that allows local telephone companies to recover costs associated with the ability for consumers to keep their telephone number when switching to another local provider.

• Universal Service Fee - this fee provides funds that help make local telephone service affordable to rural and low-income consumers.

Additional charges that may appear on a telephone bill include:

• Minimum usage charge - some long-distance companies charge a monthly fee to customers who do not meet a minimum in monthly long-distance charges.

• Additional features - fees for features such as Call Waiting and Caller ID if not included in a package.

For more information about the charges on a telephone bill, contact the OCC toll free at 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) or visit www.pickocc.org.

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Q & A: Water standards and consumer safeguards

Q Are there standards that water companies in Ohio must meet?

A Yes, Ohio's investor-owned water companies must provide water that is:

• Drinkable
• Useable for laundry, washing dishes, bathing and cooking
• Delivered at the curb at a pressure of at least 35 pounds-per-square inch

Q If the company is planning to work on the water line, does it have to notify me?

A Yes, each company is required to provide notice of planned outages or main flushings at least three days in advance of the interruption. This notice can be delivered in writing, printed in a local newspaper or posted as a sign in the affected service area.

QI have a health condition that requires me to use water for medical reasons. What can I do to prevent my service from being disconnected?

A Your doctor can sign a medical certificate for you or a permanent resident of the household, which will prevent disconnection of your service for 30 days. That doctor may renew the certificate two additional times for 30 days each. The total certification period is not to exceed 90 days in any 12-month period.

Q How can I get more information about water standards in Ohio and which companies are investor-owned?

A The Ohio Consumers' Counsel has a fact sheet available that includes information about the standards set by state regulators as well as a list of investor-owned companies. You can request a copy of this fact sheet and additional utility information by calling toll free 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) or by visiting www.pickocc.org.