Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel

Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council

Northwest Ohio Aggregation Coalition

AARP

Appalachian People’s Action Coalition

Citizen Power

Cleveland Housing Network

Communities United for Action

Consumers for Fair Utility Rates

Edgemont Neighborhood Coalition of Dayton

Empowerment Center of Greater Cleveland

Environment Ohio

Greater Ohio

Neighborhood Environmental Coalition

Ohio Environmental Council

Ohio Farmers’ Union

Ohio Interfaith Power and Light

Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy

Ohio State Legal Services Association

Sierra Club

Ohio Consumer and Environmental Advocates Issue Comments on Proposed Electric Rules

COLUMBUS, Ohio – July 22, 2008 – Ohio Consumer and Environmental Advocates today will recommend significant changes to electric pricing rules proposed by the staff of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). Its joint recommendations will be filed at the PUCO by the 5:30 p.m. deadline.

The advocates will recommend that the rules – which detail how Ohio’s new energy policy will be implemented – ensure customers receive the lowest possible price for electricity and that Ohio utilities comply with alternative energy and energy efficiency standards.

“With the prospect of increased rates in an economic environment where affordability is a growing concern, the rules in place by the PUCO need to ensure corporate accountability – that customers pay only what is just and reasonable, and no more,” said Janine Migden-Ostrander, Consumers’ Counsel.

According to Leigh Herington, Executive Director of the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC), "Unnecessary non-bypassible charges and deferral costs will continue to cost residential consumers significant additional dollars, unless the PUCO clearly acknowledges in the rules that these costs are not in the best interest of consumers."

“Affordable energy is vital to maintaining the health of infants, seniors and people with medical conditions. AARP urges PUCO to adopt rules that keep electric rates as low as possible over the long term so that Ohioans can afford to heat and cool their homes, food and water,” said Jane Taylor, State Director of AARP Ohio.

Mike Smalz, attorney for the Appalachian People's Action Coalition, emphasized, "These rules must set guidelines for future electric rate cases that will help protect Ohio consumers - and in particular low income residential consumers - from harmful rate increases.

Ted Robinson of Citizen Power said, "SB 221 obliges utilities to compare their Electric Security Plans to the Market Rate Option. Citizen Power wants to be sure that PUCO’s final rules require the utilities to make an apples to apples evaluation of these two options."

"Our Coalition's goal," stated Tim Walters, spokesperson for the Citizens' Coalition (including Consumers for Fair Utility Rates, Cleveland Housing Network, Empowerment Center of Greater Cleveland, Neighborhood Environmental Coalition), "is to insure Ohio's utility customers, particularly the poor, pay the lowest electric rates possible. We are concerned these new rules proposed by the PUCO staff will fail to meet this goal."

"Energy efficiency and renewable energy are key elements to Ohio's clean energy future," said Amy Gomberg of Environment Ohio. "We hope the Commission follows the intent of the law to reduce any barriers to developing Ohio's clean energy opportunities."

“Ohio has a clear roadmap to realize the economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency. We encourage the PUCO to consider our comments and lay the groundwork for strong programs that will maximize Ohio's efficiency potential," said Brandi Whetstone, Conservation Program Coordinator with the Sierra Club Ohio Chapter.

"Ohio's farmers and rural community residents are optimistic about the potential impact of SB221. They applaud the hybrid regulatory system, which strengthens Ohio's regulatory authority, while leaving room for market competition, and they enthusiastically embrace the movement toward greater reliance on renewable energy,” said Joe Logan, Director of Governmental Affairs for the Ohio Farmers’ Union. “Ohio's rural communities will play a central role in our renewable energy future, and it is essential that the PUCO rules accurately reflect the intent of the Legislature and the Governor. We enthusiastically support the comments of the group as they are intended assure that PUCO rules will honor the interests of consumers and the environment on an equal footing with the interests of investor-owned electric utilities.

Contacts:

• Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel: Ryan Lippe, 614-466-7269

• Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council: Leigh Herington, 330-248-1992

• Northwest Ohio Aggregation Coalition: Leslie Kovacik, 419-245-1893

• AARP: Ron Bridges, 614-222-1503

• Appalachian People's Action Coalition, Ohio State Legal Services Association: Mike Smalz, 614-221-7201

• Citizen Power: David Hughes, 412-421-6072

• Citizens’ Coalition (Consumers for Fair Utility Rates, Cleveland Housing Network, Empowerment Center of Greater Cleveland, Neighborhood Environmental Coalition): Tim Walters, 216-631-5800

• Communities United for Action: Noel Morgan, 513-362-2837

• Edgemont Neighborhood Coalition: Ellis Jacobs, 937-535-4419

• Environment Ohio: Amy Gomberg, 614-460-8732

• Greater Ohio: Gene Krebs, 614-258-1713 ext 30 or 513-739-2412 (cell)

• Ohio Environmental Council: Nolan Moser, 614-487-7506

• Ohio Farmers’ Union: Joe Logan, 614-221-9520

• Ohio Interfaith Power and Light: Greg Hitzhusen 607-339-6419

• Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy: Dave Rinebolt, 614-975-8692

• Sierra Club: Brandi Whetstone 614-461-0734 x311