Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

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Contact: Ryan Lippe
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Consumers’ Counsel disappointed at PUCO’s FirstEnergy latest decision; Customers of FirstEnergy should not be at risk for higher generation prices

COLUMBUS, Ohio – January 14, 2009 – corrected copy – The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, the residential utility consumer advocate, believes that consumers should not be at risk for paying a rider on their electric bills. Today, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) approved a rider, proposed earlier this month by FirstEnergy. The rider would compensate FirstEnergy for the difference in the price charged in current rates and the results of an bid held to provide power to customers through March 31, 2009. The rider will be subject to a prudence review and hearing process.

The rider will have a significant impact on customers’ bills. It is estimated that for a residential customer using 750 kWh a month, the monthly charge will be approximately $15 for Ohio Edison and $22.50 for Cleveland Electric Illuminating and Toledo Edison.

“The rider should have been denied. FirstEnergy has been treated in a lawful manner and its ‘takings’ claims are not valid,” said Janine Migden-Ostrander, Consumers’ Counsel. “FirstEnergy chose to reject a lawful, evidence-based PUCO order which modified and approved an electric security plan. Our office believes the utility should have accepted the PUCO’s order. To put customers at risk for FirstEnergy’s decision to hold a bid without regulatory oversight is unfair and unreasonable. Approval of the rider means that customers lose and FirstEnergy Solutions – which took 75 percent of the power through the bid – wins. We look forward to the opportunity to examine the bid in detail during the PUCO’s review process.”

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.