In this issue:

• Consumers' Counsel sets the stage for long-term benefits
• Summer power outages: safety tips and consumer rights
• Q&A: Transferring your telephone number
• Telephone options to protect your identity
• Stay cool and save money

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Consumers' Counsel sets the stage for long-term benefits

April marked one year since Janine Migden-Ostrander took office as Ohio's residential utility consumer advocate. It has been a busy year as the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) helped lay the groundwork for producing long-term consumer benefits that would include innovative solutions to help lower rates and improve utility services. One of Migden-Ostrander's first goals was to ensure that the OCC had the resources and structure in place to work on several priorities. Those priorities included:

• Participating in federal issues: Realizing that decisions made at the national level can affect the rates and service of Ohio utilities, the OCC has increased its activities to represent the interests of residential consumers.
• Energy for the future:The OCC has engaged in researching energy efficiency opportunities and the potential for utilizing renewable energy in Ohio. The OCC's efforts led to an increase in funding for a program to help low-income customers of Northeast Ohio Natural Gas make energy efficiency improvements to their homes. In addition, the OCC is exploring how it can support Ohio's participation in FutureGen, an initiative that allows states to apply for federal funding to support environmentally sound power plants using advanced technologies.
• Supporting our communities:A focus has been placed on helping the working poor who may not qualify for our state's current energy assistance programs. In addition, the OCC is advocating for statewide Community Voice Mail. This system would allow consumers who are in crisis due to, for example, a job loss or family violence to temporarily receive voice mail services. The OCC also has focused on helping other groups of residents, including the visually impaired.

Another accomplishment over the last year has been the OCC's ability to engage consumers and community organizations in an ongoing dialogue on utility issues. The OCC has:

• Developed the Action Alerts Network: The OCC's new program is helping to raise awareness about utility issues and help consumers voice their opinions to create positive change. The OCC notifies network members to explain the issue, describe how it will affect residential consumers and give details on how they can voice their opinion.
• Led a coordinated effort to address low-income issues: The OCC has instituted an ongoing dialogue among low-income focused consumer groups and agencies. Communicating with low-income groups led to a successful effort to ensure that customers with scheduled appointments at community action agencies to receive payment assistance were not disconnected during the winter heating season.
• Outreach to new populations: The OCC has enhanced its efforts to educate our state's Spanish-speaking consumers and has begun reaching out to Somalis, who have a significant and growing community in Central Ohio.

Beyond the office's many new initiatives, the OCC has been vigorously advocating for residential consumers in numerous cases before the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). A few examples over the last year include:

• Electric rate plans: American Electric Power, Cincinnati Gas & Electric (CG&E) and FirstEnergy rate plans will likely lead to significantly higher rates beginning in 2006. Under Migden-Ostrander's guidance, the OCC led opposition campaigns including consumer education and media outreach efforts. As a result of the OCC's efforts the PUCO modified the rate plans.
• Local telephone choice: The OCC has advocated at the state and federal level for decisions that will allow local telephone competition to continue. Based on negative decisions by the FCC and the PUCO, more choices in traditional telephone service may not emerge. However, new technology has allowed companies to offer broadband-based telephone services. These services are not perfect substitutes for traditional telephone service and the OCC is involved in advocating that consumer protection and public safety issues be addressed.
• High natural gas prices: As a result of rising natural gas prices the OCC has been at the forefront of exploring how consumers can take control of their energy usage. With prices high at the national level, the OCC believes consumers could benefit from energy efficiency programs that will help reduce consumption and lower their monthly bills.

While much work remains to be done, the OCC has worked hard for consumers to have a future of affordable and reliable utility services.

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Summer power outages: safety tips and consumer rights

During the summer, the last thing consumers want to think about is being without electricity. The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) brings information to residents about their rights and tips for staying safe during a power outage.

All outages should be immediately reported to the electric company, but be aware that during widespread outages it may take time to talk directly to a representative. However, consumers should be able to report the outage through the electric company's automated telephone system. In addition, those who cannot reach the utility may call the OCC's Consumer Response Center toll free at 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622).

During the outage, unplug major appliances that are power sensitive and could be damaged, such as computers and televisions, to protect them from a possible power surge when the power comes back on. In Ohio, consumers are not entitled to credits for the time that their service is out or if any household items are damaged from power surges or outages.

Some consumers may consider purchasing a generator if they experience long, frequent outages. When purchasing a generator, discuss the following factors with a salesperson:

• Price
• Type of fuel needed to run the generator
• Amount of time it can run
• Types of uses, such as appliances, sump pumps or home security systems
• No matter which type is purchased or how the generator is used, several safety tips should be followed.
• Never exceed the rated capacity listed on the generator. The capacity is typically measured in watts. Consumers should find out the wattage used by the appliances they wish to run off the generator. With a 4,000 to 5,000 watt generator, consumers can typically run a refrigerator, sump pump, furnace fan and several lights.
• Start the generator with the largest appliance first, then add additional items one at a time.
• Generators should never be used inside the home or an attached garage due to carbon monoxide build up. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can be fatal. To be made aware of carbon monoxide build up, have at least one carbon monoxide detector that has battery backup so it continues to work even when the electricity is off.

Consumers can call the OCC toll-free at 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) with any questions about their rights relating to a power outage.

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Q & A: Transferring your telephone number

Q.Can I keep my current telephone number if I switch to a new provider?

A. Yes. "Local number portability" permits you to transfer a current home or cellular telephone number to a new company. Some small local telephone companies are not currently required to transfer telephone numbers. Customers in rural areas should check with their company for more information.

Q.What should I do in order to keep my current number?

A.Consumers wishing to transfer their number should not cancel their current service. The new provider can provide more information and coordinate the transfer. It is also important to have a copy of a recent bill on hand so that your exact name and address are matched to your current number.

Q.How long will it take to transfer a telephone number to a new provider?

A. The length of time can depend on the type of transfer being requested. Cellular providers should be able to transfer an existing cellular number within a few hours. Other types of transfers could take several days.

Q.How much does it cost to transfer a telephone number?

A. Charges vary among companies and there are two ways they can collect their costs. First, the federal government allows companies to charge all their customers a monthly fee for system upgrades that facilitate number portability. Some companies have already collected all their costs from consumers and have stopped charging a fee, while other companies currently charge from 25 cents to over $1 per month. Second, wireless companies are allowed to charge a fee to new customers wishing to transfer their current telephone number. This fee is based on costs charged to the new company by the old provider. Consumers should be sure to ask about any charges before making a decision.

Q.Where can I find out more information about local number portability?

A. The OCC's fact sheet "Number Portability: The Facts About Keeping Your Telephone Number When Switching Providers" can be obtained by calling 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) or at www.pickocc.org. You also should contact the OCC if you have a complaint involving a number transfer.

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Telephone options to protect your identity

Various privacy features and services exist to help consumers prevent their telephone number from being known by those they call. While the need for this type of privacy varies among consumers, it is important to be aware of the available protections and evaluate whether they would be of value.

Commonly offered services include:

Changing a telephone number - Some customers may want or need to change their telephone number before adding privacy features and services. While this is a way to "start fresh," it can also burden a consumer who must inform friends, family and others about the change. Typically, establishing a new telephone number costs about $30. Some companies may waive this fee for victims of domestic violence or telephone harassment, however there is no requirement that they do so.

Non-published telephone numbers - For a monthly fee, local telephone companies will not publish a customer's telephone number. This fee ensures customers will not be included in future white pages directories and results in their number not being disclosed through the company's 4-1-1 directory assistance. After requesting that an existing number be non-published, it can take 24 to 48 hours for directory assistance to stop providing information.

A related service is called a non-listed telephone number. Having a non-listed number only ensures customers will not be included in future white pages directories. The number will continue to be available through directory assistance.

Consumers with published numbers may request that their street address not be printed in the telephone directory or provided through directory assistance. Depending on the telephone company, a one-time set up charge may apply.

Caller ID Blocking - Telephone companies offer the ability for consumers to block their name and number from appearing on the Caller ID screens of those they are dialing. In addition, blocking will not allow those they have called to use Call Return (often referred to as *69) to call them back.

This blocking on a call-by-call basis is typically free of charge by dialing *67 prior to dialing a telephone number. Automatic blocking (referred to as per-line blocking) is available, usually for a monthly fee. Companies will waive the monthly fee for customers with non-published numbers. A one-time set up fee may also apply to add blocking to an existing line.

It typically takes five to seven days for the company to add automatic blocking to an existing telephone line.

Consumers should be aware that blocking may not work in every case. For example, businesses can subscribe to a service called Automatic Number Identification that provides them with a consumer's telephone number. Typically, this service is provided to companies with toll-free and pay-per-use (900 and 976) numbers.

Consumers' needs vary and it is important to some that their telephone number not be disclosed. By researching the options available from their local telephone company, consumers can determine which, if any, features meet their needs.

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Stay cool and save money

With temperatures on the rise, many consumers are beginning to think about how they will beat the heat this summer. A room air conditioner can be an efficient way to cool small spaces. Knowing what to look for when shopping for a room air conditioner can be key to keeping cool and saving money.

Before you go shopping, there are a few terms you'll need to know:

Btu - A British Thermal Unit is the international unit of energy measurement. A Btu rating on an air conditioner represents the amount of heat that unit can remove from a room.

EER - An Energy Efficiency Rating is calculated by dividing the air conditioner's number of Btu's by its watts. The higher the EER rating, the more energy efficient the unit is. A good EER rating is between 8 and 11.5.

Those air conditioners that meet higher standards of energy efficiency will be labeled with the ENERGY STAR logo. ENERGY STAR signifies that a product meets strict energy efficiency guidelines. An ENERGY STAR room air conditioner uses at least 10 percent less energy than non-rated models.

The key to choosing the right air conditioner is matching the proper size unit to your room. The ENERGY STAR program offers the following chart at right to help determine which size air conditioner to cool your room.

Buying the right size air conditioner and looking for the ENERGY STAR label will ensure you are making a decision that will save energy and money.