Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

Media Center

Contact: Ryan Lippe
(614) 466-7269

Electric rates increasing for Dayton Power & Light residential customers

COLUMBUS, Ohio – January 8, 2009 – The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) is advising residents served by Dayton Power & Light (DP&L) that their electric rates increased effective Jan. 1. The increases are the result of the continuation of a rate plan approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio in 2005.

The OCC estimates that the bill for a DP&L residential customer using 750 kWh per month will increase by approximately 6.5 percent, from $81.68 in December 2008 to $86.96 in January 2009.

The rate plan, approved over the objections of the OCC, imposed a rate increase each year from 2007 through 2010 based on a surcharge added to customers’ monthly bills. In addition, two generation discounts provided to residential customers through 2008 have expired, further increasing customers’ bills.

“With household budgets being stretched thin, any increase to customers’ bills will be difficult to absorb,” said Janine Migden-Ostrander, Consumers’ Counsel. “We encourage consumers to be as energy efficient as possible and take proactive steps to use electricity wisely and contact the OCC if they are seeking information about payment arrangements.”

The OCC has resources available to help customers identify energy efficiency improvements and bill payment assistance options. The OCC encourages residential consumers to visit www.pickocc.org or call 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) toll free.

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.