In this issue:

• Stay connected with assistance programs
• Managing your winter energy bills
• Updated handbook will help consumers
• The facts about budget billing programs
• Q&A: Utility issues for renters and landlords

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Stay connected with assistance programs

As colder temperatures are setting in and energy prices have risen, household budgets begin to be stretched to the extreme. Many Ohioans may find themselves facing difficulties in paying their utility bills in order to buy groceries or medicine for a family member in need.

The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), the residential utility advocate, can provide a variety of information about several assistance programs that help consumers stay connected to their electric and natural gas services.

Ohio Winter Reconnect Program

Ohio's winter reconnect program allows most households that have been disconnected or are facing possible disconnection due to non-payment of a utility bill to have service restored during the winter months by paying either the total amount they owe to the utility company or $175, whichever is less, plus a reconnection fee of no more than $20. Consumers can use this program one time between now and April 15, 2005.

Although there is no income eligibility requirement for the winter reconnect program, any consumer who takes advantage of the program must arrange a payment plan with the company to pay any past due balance or enroll in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP), if eligible.

As part of this program, regulated electric and natural gas companies in Ohio are required to reconnect service on the same day if a consumer makes full payment before 12:30 p.m. Those consumers who pay after 12:30 p.m. will have service reconnected the following business day. Consumers can take advantage of the winter reconnect program in person at a local community action agency or by calling their electric or natural gas company directly.

Consumers who need additional assistance may be eligible for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) or PIPP. For consumers who are not eligible for HEAP or PIPP, other payment plans may be arranged with the company.

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

HEAP is a federally funded program that provides a one-time payment per heating season for those who meet the qualifications. Consumers are eligible if they are at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.

Emergency HEAP (E-HEAP) is available for low-income consumers who have been disconnected from their heating source, have received a disconnection notice or have less than a 10-day supply of bulk fuel. Consumers can apply for HEAP and E-HEAP through March 31, 2005. Applications can be obtained from the Ohio Department of Development by calling toll free 1-800-282-0880 or by calling the OCC toll free at 1-877-742-5622.

Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP)

PIPP is a low-income program that enables income-eligible consumers to pay a percentage of their income toward their monthly electric and natural gas bills. Consumers who use natural gas to heat their homes would pay 10 percent of their income to their natural gas company and 5 percent to their electric utility. A consumer who uses all electric would pay 15 percent to the electric utility. The balance of the bill will continue to accumulate and consumers will be responsible for paying this accumulated amount once they are no longer eligible for the PIPP program. Consumers are eligible for PIPP if they participate in HEAP or have an annual household income at or below 150 percent of the poverty level.

For more information on any of the utility assistance programs or additional payment plans, contact the OCC at 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) to speak with our staff, or online at www.pickocc.org.

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Managing your winter energy bills

Since we are in the heart of the winter heating season, all residential consumers should be looking for ways to reduce their energy bills. Two choices that should be considered include budget billing and energy efficiency. Regardless of consumers' income levels or which electric and natural gas companies serve them, these ideas may make smart financial sense in a world of high and rapidly fluctuating energy prices.

Budget billing

Budget billing or budget payment plan programs help consumers spread their energy expenses over approximately 12 months. While these programs will not save you money, they can ease the burden of paying significantly higher natural gas costs during the winter months. By making equal monthly payments, consumers may find it easier to plan their overall household budget and make it through the colder winter months.

The budget bill amount paid by the customer is set by his or her natural gas company. The amount is based on the customer's historical usage or the usage of the residence, weather predictions and the expected cost of the natural gas.

To be eligible for budget billing, customers cannot be on the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) and must be current on their bills.

For details about each company's budget billing program, see the chart on page three. Please contact your natural gas company before you enroll for more information.

Energy efficiency

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, approximately 44 percent of the energy we use in our home or apartment is to heat and cool. Using this energy more efficiently is one sure way to help control heating and cooling expenses. Applying a few energy smart tips today can bring consumers savings as soon as their next monthly electric and natural gas bills. For example:

• Minimize the use of the fireplace. Winter presents the urge to use the fireplace, however, it is important to remember that warm air escapes through the chimney. Make sure the fireplace damper is closed unless a fire is burning.

• Use draperies and shades that face the south to your advantage. Open them during the day to allow sunlight to enter your home. Keep the glass clean to maximize this effect. Close these draperies and shades at night to reduce the chill.

• Leave the bathroom door open after a shower. This simple step allows the warm steamy air to circulate through the home.

• . Control the thermostat. For each degree you turn down your thermostat in the winter, about 3 percent is saved on your heating bill. Experts recommend setting your thermostat at 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in the summer to balance comfort with energy efficiency.

For more tips, visit the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel website at www.pickocc.org and look for the energy efficiency section listed under Fact Sheets and Publications. For a free copy of the "Smart Energy Tips" brochure by mail, call the OCC toll free at 1-877-PICKOCC(1-877-742-5622).

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Updated handbook will help consumers

Searching for more information about your utilities? Then look no further than the new, updated Consumer Assistance Handbook from The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC). The recently completed third edition is designed to assist consumers with their utility questions as well as provide information and tips about their utilities.

• Your rights as a utility customer

• How to protect yourself from telemarketers and telephone scams

• Energy efficiency and water conservation

• Payment assistance programs for electric, natural gas and telephone

To make it a more valuable resource, the OCC surveyed a sample group of consumers who were familiar with the handbook.

To meet the needs of the growing Hispanic population in Ohio, the OCC also now offers the handbook in Spanish.

Based on consumer input, the OCC worked to provide the most up-to-date information in a clear, concise manner that would be beneficial to all Ohioans. Some of the topics that are included in the handbook are:

• How to better understand your utility bills

Both versions of the handbook are free and can be obtained by calling the OCC toll free at 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) or via email at occ@occ.state.oh.us. Consumers also can view a copy of the handbook on the OCC website at www.pickocc.org.

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The facts about natural gas budget billing programs

Company	Enrollment	Periodic account reviews and adjustments approximate	Year-end review and balancing
Cincinnati Gas & Electric Annual Plan	When:Any time throughout the year. How:Toll free at 1-800-544-6900 or online at www.cinergycge.com.	Annual Plan-Customers pay the same budget amount for 11 months. In the sixth month, a mid-year review is conducted. If the review results in a difference of 30 percent more or less per month, you will receive a message on your following month's bill recommending that you allow CG&E to adjust the monthly budget amount higher or lower to reflect your usage more accurately. You must call CG&E if you agree to have the budget amount adjusted. Otherwise, the budget amount will not change.	In the 12th month you will see an adjustment made on your bill to make up for any difference between the past 11 months' payments and your actual natural gas usage. This could result in either a credit or a charge. Any charges must be paid in full by the due date on that month's bill. In addition, a new budget billing plan amount is set for the next program year.
Cincinnati Gas & Electric Quarterly Plan	When: Any time throughout the year. How: Toll free at 1-800-544-6900 or online at www.cinergycge.com.	Quarterly Plan- An initial monthly payment is determined,and every three months your actual usage is reviewed by CG&E. If your usage varies by 10 percent more or less from the monthly payment, a message will appear on your next bill and the company will automatically adjust future payment amounts either higher or lower to reflect the actual cost.	There is no 12-month or year-end adjustment. Accounts are reviewed every three months.
Columbia Gas of Ohio	When: The program officially begins in August, but customers may enroll at any time. Enrolling in the program after August may result in a higher budget amount since the payments are spread over a fewer number of months. How: Toll free at 1-800-344-4077, online at www.columbiagasohio.com or by simply paying the budget amount that appears on the August bill.	Budget amounts are reviewed in March. If the review results in a difference of more or less than $4 per month than your current budget payment, the company will adjust the budget amount to reflect the new payment beginning with the April bill.	In July, the company performs a year-end review, which could result in either a credit or a charge. Any charges must be paid in full by the due date on that month's bill. In addition, a new budget billing plan amount is set for the next program year.
Dominion East Ohio	When: The "budget year" is typically from June to May, but customers can enroll any time. Enrolling in the program after June may result in a higher budget amount since the payments are spread over a fewer number of months. How: Toll free at 1-800-362-7557 or online at www.dom.com.	Budget accounts are reviewed in February, June and October. Budget amounts could increase or decrease depending on a customers actual usage, current natural gas prices and weather conditions.	At the end of the budget year, a final review is conducted to make up any difference between your budget amount and the actual cost. Any adjustments, either credits or charges, as a result of this review are automatically figured into your budget amount for the budget billing cycle that begins in June.
Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio	When: Any time throughout the year. How: Toll free at 1-800-227-1376. Customers who have an online account can enroll at www.vectrenenergy.com.	Budget bills are reviewed in July and August. Any adjustments, either credits or charges as a result of this review are automatically figured into your new budget amount that begins in August.	There is no 12-month or year-end adjustment. Accounts are reviewed in July.

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Q & A: Utility issues for renters and landlords

Q.Are renters responsible for setting up electric, natural gas, telephone and water service?

A. The rental agreement should explain who is responsible for utilities. Generally the landlord will establish service if the utilities are included in the monthly rent. If utilities are to be paid by the tenant, the tenant may be responsible for contacting each utility company directly to establish service.

Q. Will tenants be charged a deposit to set up utility services?

A. Customers who have not established credit, have bad credit or lack a history of utility bill payments may be required to pay a deposit to begin service. For electric, natural gas and water companies, the deposit charged to customers may be no greater than 130 percent of the estimated monthly charges. For example, if the company estimates a $60 per month bill, the deposit cannot be more than $78. For telephone companies, the deposit can be no greater than 230 percent of the estimated monthly charges for regulated services.

Q. Is a landlord required to maintain utility service in a vacant apartment?

A. No, but a landlord may have an agreement with the electric, natural gas and water companies to have accounts placed in his or her name until a tenant moves in. This ensures that service will not be interrupted and prevents water lines from freezing during the winter months.

Q. If gas or electric appliances, including the furnace, heat pump and air conditioner are in need of repair, who is responsible for this maintenance?

A. Generally it is the landlord's responsibility, however be sure to read the terms and conditions of the lease agreement for these details.

Q. Where can renters find more information about their rights and responsibilities?

A. The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) has a free fact sheet called "Utility responsibilities for renters" with additional information. This publication and assistance in resolving any utility complaints can be found on the OCC's website at www.pickocc.org or by calling 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) toll free.

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Ohio Consumers' Corner is the free bi-monthly newsletter of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel, the residential utility advocate serving as a resource for consumers who have questions and concerns, or would like more information about the services provided by their electric, natural gas, telephone and water companies.