Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

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Additional public hearing scheduled in Duke Energy Ohio electric security plan

COLUMBUS, Ohio — October 3, 2008 — The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) is encouraging residents of Middletown and surrounding areas to attend and testify at an additional local public hearing scheduled by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) regarding an electric security plan (ESP) application submitted by Duke Energy Ohio.

The hearing will take place at:

Middletown, Oct. 15, 6:30 p.m. Lakota East High School, 6840 Lakota Lane

“The OCC is pleased that the PUCO has added more opportunities for consumers to express their opinions about the rate increases that have been requested by Duke,” said Janine Migden- Ostrander, Consumers’ Counsel. “With the Ohio economy in such difficult shape, it is more important than ever for the public to come out and testify so the PUCO will know what impact such an increase will have on residential consumers.”

The Middletown public hearing was added to the schedule which includes the following locations:

Cincinnati, Oct. 7, 12:30 p.m. Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Main Building, Room 344-346, 3520 Central Parkway
Cincinnati, Oct. 7, 6:30 p.m. Union Township Civic Center Hall, 4350 Aicholtz Road

Testimony offered by consumers will become part of the official case and considered as the PUCO Commissioners make a decision. The OCC staff will be in attendance representing residential customers of Duke Energy and be available to media for interviews.

In addition to the hearings scheduled by the PUCO, the OCC, in collaboration with other groups in the Ohio Consumer and Environmental Advocates (OCEA), is holding a series of educational public forums throughout the state about the rate increases proposed by Ohio’s largest three electric utilities.

The forum being held in the Duke service area will take place in:

Cincinnati, Oct. 14, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency, 1740 Langdon Farm Road

A panel of experts from the OCC and the OCEA will provide Duke Energy customers with an overview of the proposed plan, information about energy efficiency, renewable energy and the impact on low-income consumers and seniors. A question and answer period will immediately follow the presentation during which representatives of the OCC and OCEA will be available to address consumers’ questions, concerns and comments.

The OCC/OCEA public forums are free. Maps and additional information are available at www.pickocc.org.

About the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), the residential utility consumer advocate, represents the interests of 4.5 million households in proceedings before state and federal regulators and in the courts. The state agency also educates consumers about electric, natural gas, telephone and water issues and resolves complaints from individuals. To receive utility information, brochures, schedule a presentation or file a utility complaint, residential consumers may call 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) toll free in Ohio or visit the OCC website at www.pickocc.org.