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Ohio consumer groups file to lower FirstEnergy’s rates for Ohio Edison and Toledo Edison customers

COLUMBUS, Ohio — December 23, 2008 — FirstEnergy’s rates for its Ohio Edison and Toledo Edison customers should be reduced beginning in 2009, the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC), along with other consumer groups, told the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) in a filing today. The filing was in response to FirstEnergy’s request to the PUCO to maintain its current rates after its existing rate plan expires on Dec. 31, 2008.

The consumer groups assert that under state law, the current “regulatory transition charges” must be removed from customers’ monthly bills once FirstEnergy has been paid in full. Those charges for FirstEnergy’s Ohio Edison and Toledo Edison operating companies expire at the end of 2008. Those charges for FirstEnergy’s Cleveland Electric Illuminating operating company expire at a later date.

“When the surcharges expire at the end of this month, FirstEnergy should be required to lower customers’ rates in Ohio Edison and Toledo Edison service areas,” said Janine Migden-Ostrander, Consumers’ Counsel. “The utility has collected all the transition charges it is entitled to under the law, yet it has requested to continue the charge on customers’ bills. In today’s economy, customers need to get the rate relief to which they are entitled.”

The regulatory transition charges cost the average Toledo Edison residential customers over $75 for three months, based on 750 kWh per month usage. The average Ohio Edison residential customer pays over $34 during three months in regulatory transition charges.

Regulatory transition charges are related to charges for expenditures that had not been recovered by the utility as Ohio attempted to move from a fully regulated to a competitive generation market. Under Ohio law, they must expire once a utility has fully recovered the cost.

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 Web site at www.pickocc.org.