Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel

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 Farmers’ Union

Ohio Interfaith Power and Light

Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy

Ohio State Legal Services Association

Sierra Club

Consumer advocates call for protections in latest draft of electric policy rules

COLUMBUS, Ohio – August 13, 2008 – The second set of draft electric policy rules needs significant changes to improve service reliability, provide better inspection processes and ensure stronger enforcement of the rules, the Ohio Consumer and Environmental Advocates (OCEA) said in comments jointly filed at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). Additionally, changes should be made so consumers have more protections should they decide to produce their own energy or band together to receive a better rate.

The OCEA, a group of 18 advocates, wants to ensure that all electric utilities make service reliability a priority. By implementing performance standards in these rules, utilities can be held accountable. Tree trimming plans also are an important part of reliability. With standards for vegetation management, including a four-year tree trimming cycle, reliability can be improved statewide.

“Going forward, these rules will set the level of reliability that will dictate what consumers can expect from their electric provider,” said Janine Migden-Ostrander, Consumers’ Counsel. “The OCC wants to make certain that consumers across the state do not have to worry that their power could go out unexpectedly.”

According to Ted Robinson of Citizen Power, “Energy security is an important facet of the economic prosperity of Ohio. Citizen Power believes that the Commission should mandate performance standards for the electric utilities that are enforceable so that we have an electric infrastructure that we can rely on.”

These rules also address the ability for residential customers to take advantage of ways to produce their own electricity, known as net metering. The legislature used the new energy policy to encourage the use of net metering and other distributed generation technologies. The OCC has recommended ways that net metering rules can be made more comprehensive, streamlined, transparent, affordable and accessible to residential customers.

Consumers also should have better opportunities to group together to receive bulk rates for electric service. Known as government aggregation, the OCC believes if consumers are able to save on their electric bills through aggregation, steps should be taken to make it easier and more assessable for communities to take part.

“With better access to net metering and government aggregation opportunities, customers have more choices to pick the best way to receive electric service to meet their needs,” Migden-Ostrander said.

Ned Ford, energy consultant for the Ohio Chapter of the Sierra Club emphasized, “This round of rules affects Ohio’s transition to sustainable energy. Net metering and customer generation issues are critical to our economic and environmental future. Through rulemaking, the PUCO has the opportunity to help Ohio transition more smoothly, ensuring energy security, lowering electricity rates, and fighting global climate change.”

“The Ohio Farmers’ Union is proud to work with OCEA to assure that the PUCO rules honor the intent of Senate Bill 221 to encourage robust competition, transparency and strong commitment to renewable energy,” said Joe Logan, Ohio Farmers’ Union Director of Governmental Affairs.

Contacts:

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

• 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 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