Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel
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2005 Press Releases
| Consumers’
Counsel reacts to approval of higher rates for Dayton Power & Light
customers December 28, 2005 |
| The OCC believes the approval of a settlement in a Dayton Power & Light case is unlawful and unfair because it changes the original terms of a three-year rate plan set to go into effect in 2006.The new settlement adds a new charge to bills beginning in 2007 and extends the rate plan an additional two years - through 2010 - under even higher rates. |
| Letter to
the Editor on Meter Reading December 27, 2005 |
| The OCC encourages consumers to take steps to minimize the potential for "estimated" natural gas bills this winter. |
| Ohio’s Consumers’
Counsel reacts to approval of Cinergy-Duke merger December 21, 2005 |
| The OCC is disappointed in the approval of the Cinergy-Duke merger by Ohio regulators. The OCC had advocated for consumers to receive more protections and benefits. |
| Consumers
receive local public hearings on proposed telephone rules December 21, 2005 |
| The OCC is pleased that state regulators will hold seven public hearings to allow consumers the opportunity to voice their opinions about proposed telephone rules. The rules could lead to price increases of up to 20 percent per year for basic local service and basic Caller ID. |
| Timely meter
readings can keep winter natural gas bills accurate December 14, 2005 |
| The OCC encourages consumers to take steps to help minimize the potential for "estimated" natural gas bills this winter. |
| Agreement
with Consumers’ Counsel would minimize Cincinnati Gas & Electric
rate increase December 7, 2005 |
| An agreement reached among the OCC, Cincinnati Gas & Electric, the staff of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and other parties would reduce a proposed electric distribution rate increase by approximately 33 percent. |
| Consumers’
Counsel says proposed local telephone rules fail to protect residents December 6, 2005 |
| The OCC advocates for changes in proposed telephone rules that could allow the price of basic local service and Caller ID to increase 20 percent per year. |
| Cinergy-Duke
merger: Consumers’ Counsel calls for more customer protections and
benefits December 1, 2005 |
| The OCC advocates that more protections and benefits be provided to residential customers before the Cinergy-Duke merger is approved by state regulators. |
| Ohio’s
utility consumer advocate reacts to state approval of Verizon-MCI merger November 29, 2005 |
| The OCC reacts to the state's approval of the Verizon-MCI merger. The OCC believes that the merger is not in the public interest and that significant benefits should have been provided. |
| Consumers’
Counsel fights to be kept on utility disconnect notices and other customer
materials November 29, 2005 |
| The OCC argues that removing the agency's contact information from disconnect notices and other materials does not serve the public interest. |
| Consumers’
Counsel calls for local public hearings on telephone deregulation rules November 28, 2005 |
| The OCC advocates for residential consumers to have a chance to voice their opinion about proposed telephone rules at local public hearings throughout Ohio. The proposed rules could allow the prices of basic local telephone service and Caller ID to increase 20 percent each year. |
| Stay safe
this winter while heating while heating your home November 23, 2005 |
| The OCC alerts consumers to follow these safety tips while using alternative methods to heat their homes this winter. |
| Consumer
benefits and education needed in Dominion's proposal November 15, 2005 |
| The OCC believes that more consumer benefits and an increase in education about natural gas choice are needed prior to Dominion East Ohio ending service to its customers. |
| Ohio’s
utility consumer advocate reacts to state approval of SBC-AT&T
merger November 4, 2005 |
| The OCC reacts to the state's approval of the SBC-AT&T merger. The OCC believes that the merger is not in the public interest and that significant benefits should have been provided. |
| New electric
agreement to bring benefits to FirstEnergy customers November 4, 2005 |
| An agreement among the OCC, several low-income groups and FirstEnergy will secure benefits for residential consumers and resolve a case involving a proposed fuel cost-related rate increase. |
| Ohio’s
utility consumer advocate reacts to federal approval of SBC-AT&T
and Verizon-MCI mergers October 31, 2005 |
| The OCC reacts to a decision by the Federal Communications Commission approving the SBC-AT&T and Verizon-MCI mergers. |
| Managing
your high natural gas bills October 31, 2005 |
| The OCC assists residential consumers in preparing for high natural gas prices this winter. |
| Reaction
to Green Mountain Decision to Terminate NOPEC Contract October 26, 2005 |
| The OCC reactions to a decision by Green Mountain Energy to end an agreement to serve customers in the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) electric aggregation program. |
| Letter to
Editor - Aggregation issues on Nov. 8 ballot October 25, 2005 |
| On November 8, residents in 8 Ohio communities will vote on electric and/or natural gas aggregation ballot issues. |
| Ohio consumer
advocate reacts to Gov. Taft’s approval of additional low income funding
for energy assistance October 6, 2005 |
| The OCC applauds Governor Bob Taft for providing additional funds to help low-income Ohioans stay connected to their utility services this winter. |
| Consumers'
Counsel advocates fair rates for Monongahela Power customers in transfer
to American Electric Power October 4, 2005 |
| OCC advocates that residents currently served by Monongahela Power receive as moderate an increase as possible when their service is transferred to American Electric Power. |
| Ohio consumer
advocate calls for residential customer benefits in Verizon-MCI merger September 30, 2005 |
| The OCC calls for residential consumer benefits in the merger of Verizon and MCI. |
| Consumers’
Counsel argues against FirstEnergy rate plan at Ohio Supreme Court September 28, 2005 |
| The OCC presents its arguments against the FirstEnergy rate plan at the Ohio Supreme Court. The OCC wants the court to overturn the rate plan, which would result in at least $3.25 billion in charges that customers should not have to pay. |
| Letter to
the Editor - Hurricane Katrina Effects on Natural Gas Prices September 9, 2005 |
| Residential consumers need to prepare for even higher natural gas prices due to the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. |
| Ohio’s Winter
Reconnect Program helps consumers stay connected September 7, 2005 |
| Ohioans who have been disconnected from electric and natural gas service will be able to be reconnected for $175 beginning no later that October 17 due to Ohio's Winter Reconnect Order. |
| Residents
in Navarre must make electric decision by September 22 September 6, 2005 |
| The OCC alerts residents Navarre that they must decide by mid-September whether to join, remain in or withdraw from a community electric aggregation group. |
| Ohio’s utility
consumer advocate calls for residential customer benefits in SBC-AT&T
merger September 2, 2005 |
| The OCC calls for residential customer benefits in SBC-AT&T merger. |
| Ohio Consumers.
Counsel recommends auction process that could lower FirstEnergy electric
rates September 1, 2005 |
| The OCC recommends an auction process that could lower FirstEnergy electric rates beginning in 2007. |
| Coalition
wants to stop FirstEnergy’s request for fuel-related increase August 26, 2005 |
| OCC, NOPEC and NOAC jointly filed motions today to stop FirstEnergy's request to recover fuel-related increases at the expense of residential consumers. |
| Consumers’
Counsel files lawsuit against Dayton Power & Light to stop $15.5
million of unlawful customer charges August 16, 2005 |
| The OCC filed a lawsuit against Dayton Power & Light to prevent the company from charging residential customers $15.5 million in fees related to billing system changes. The charges are strictly prohibited by an agreement signed between the OCC and the company in June 2000. |
| Ohio consumer
advocate reacts to federal energy bill passage July 29, 2005 |
| The OCC reacts to the federal energy bill, which was passed today by the U.S. Senate. This bill brings needed improvements to the electric industry but, at the same time, takes away important consumer protections and safeguards |
| Residents
in Northeast Ohio must make electric decision by August 8 July 19, 2005 |
| The OCC alerts residents in many Northeast Ohio communities that they must decide by August 8 whether to participate in or withdraw from an electric aggregation group. |
| SBC’s residential
customers paying higher prices for telephone features July 6, 2005 |
| The OCC alerts SBC Ohio customers to increased prices for many commonly-used telephone features. The increases apply to customers who purchase the features outside of a local telephone package. |
| Consumer
advocate offers “top 10” no-cost summer cooling tips June 29, 2005 |
| The OCC alerts consumers to 10 no-cost tips for staying cool and saving money. |
| Residents
in Mogadore must make electric decision by July 15 June 24, 2005 |
| The OCC alerts residents of Mogadore that they must decide by July 15 whether to join, remain in or withdraw from a community electric aggregation group. |
| Natural
gas audit case results in $9.6 million refund to Vectren customers June 14, 2005 |
| In a consumer victory, state regulators decided that customers of Vectren deserve over $9.6 million in credits due to issues surrounding natural gas purchasing practices. The OCC vigorously advocated on behalf of residential consumers and is pleased that the decision will bring significant benefits. |
| Consumers’
Counsel praises legislative leaders for electricity tax relief June 14, 2005 |
| The OCC praises the leadership of the Ohio House and Senate for its plans to reduce the proposed 30 percent increase to the electricity (kilowatt hour) tax. The reduction will be good news for residential consumers. |
| ALLTEL and
Western Reserve local telephone customers paying higher prices for
packages, features June 8, 2005 |
| The OCC alerts local telephone customers of ALLTEL and Western Reserve of increased prices for packages and commonly used services. The increases are permitted because these companies are operating under "elective alternative regulation" rules. |
| Knowing safety
tips and consumer rights can help during summer power outages June 8, 2005 |
| The OCC encourages consumers to learn about safety tips and customer rights involving summertime power outages. |
| Residents
in Barberton must make electric decision by June 17 May 25, 2005 |
| The OCC alerts residents of Barberton and any new Summit County township residents that they must decide by mid June whether to remain in or withdraw from a community electric aggregation group. |
| Residents
in Ravenna and Tallmadge must make electric decision by June 8 May 19, 2005 |
| The OCC alerts residents of Ravenna, Tallmadge, Burton Township and Troy Township that they must decide by early June whether to remain in or withdraw from a community electric aggregation group. |
| Residents
in North Canton must make natural gas decision by May 5 April 25, 2005 |
| The OCC alerts North Canton residents that they must decide by May 5 whether to remain in or withdraw from a community natural gas aggregation group. |
| Letter to
the Editor - Aggregation ballot issues April 22, 2005 |
| Consumers in three Ohio communities will vote on natural gas aggregation issues on Tuesday, May 3. |
| Consumers’
Counsel challenging Cincinnati Gas & Electric rate plan at Ohio
Supreme Court March 18, 2005 |
| The OCC asks the Ohio Supreme Court to overturn a decision that will likely impose at least $170 million of generation cost increases on Cincinnati Gas & Electric's residential customers. |
| Consumers’
Counsel wants scrutiny of SBC-AT&T merger March 7, 2005 |
| The OCC asks the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to conduct full hearings on the proposed SBC-AT&T merger to help determine whether it is in the public interest. The OCC requested that it be able to play a role in the hearing process. |
| Consumers’
Counsel asks state regulators to reconsider harmful American Electric
Power rate plan February 25, 2005 |
| The OCC asks the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to reconsider its recent approval of an American Electric Power rate plan. The plan will lead to significant rate increases over the next three years. |
| Consumers’
Counsel helps achieve benefits for Ohio American Water customers February 23, 2005 |
| The OCC helps achieves benefits for Ohio American Water customers. |
| Consumer
advocate opposes Cincinnati Gas & Electric plant sale at Securities
and Exchange Commission February 15, 2005 |
| The OCC opposes the sale of three CG&E electric plants, which could cause higher rates for its Ohio customers. The filing was made at the Security and Exchange Commission. |
| Winter heating
assistance still available to utility customers February 3, 2005 |
| The OCC alerts consumers that programs are still available to help avoid disconnection of their electric and natural gas utility services through March 31. |
| Consumers'
Counsel reacts to American Electric Power rate decision January 26, 2005 |
| The OCC responds to the approval of an American Electric Power rate plan which will increase residential customers' monthly bills. |
| Consumers’
Counsel responds to PUCO report on power outages January 19, 2005 |
| The OCC responds to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio's power outage report. |
| Consumers’
Counsel urges customers of Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio to voice
their opinion on proposed rate hike January 19, 2005 |
| Customers of Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio are urged to attend one of the local public hearings to voice concerns about company-filed requests to raise natural gas rates. |
| Economic
benefits of energy efficiency programs would result in direct savings
to Ohio’s utility customers January 18, 2005 |
| The Consumers' Counsel supports findings of ACEEE report that indicate energy efficiency programs provide a boost to the economy and result in direct savings to utility customers. |
| Consumers’
Counsel calls for full investigation with local public hearings on
recent AEP power outages January 12, 2005 |
| The OCC calls for a full investigation, including local public hearings, into recent American Electric Power outages. |
| Comparing
local telephone plans is easier at www.pickocc.org January 6, 2005 |
| Residential consumers in SBC service area now have an easier way to compare their local telephone choices. The new interactive tool that allows consumers to choose features and compare telephone plans based on their needs and wants. |
Office
of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel - Your Residential Utility Consumer
Advocate 10 West Broad Street, Suite 1800, Columbus, Ohio 43215-3485
1-877-742-5622 (toll-free in Ohio) or 614-466-8574
Contact us
Information believed accurate but not guaranteed.
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The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel is an equal opportunity employer and provider of services.
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.