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Contact: Ryan Lippe
(614) 466-7269

Cincinnati and Liberty Twp. public hearings to be held on proposed Duke Energy rate increase

Related Fact Sheets:

• Speak out about proposed Duke Energy electric rate increase
• How to Testify at Local Public Hearings

What: The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), the state agency representing residential utility consumers, is encouraging customers of Duke Energy to voice their opinions about an electric distribution rate increase request filed by the utility at public hearings held by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).

The proposal, if approved, will increase customers' rates by $85.6 million per year. This represents an approximately 25 percent increase in distribution charges. A customer’s total bill would increase by 5.8 percent.

The OCC opposes the level of the proposed rate hikes. In testimony filed with the PUCO, experts from the OCC asserted that Duke overstated its need for an $85.6 million per year rate increase and provided evidence the proposed increase should be cut to $39 million, a reduction of $46 million from Duke’s request.

Who: The PUCO will hold the local public hearing. The OCC will attend to provide customers with information and be available for media interviews.

Dates, Times and Locations:

• Cincinnati – Monday, March 16, 2009, 6:00 p.m., Union Township Civic Center Hall, 4350 Aicholtz Road;

• Cincinnati – Thursday, March 19, 2009, 12:30 p.m., Cincinnati City Hall, Council Chambers, 801 Plum Street; and

• Liberty Township – Tuesday, March 24, 2009, 6:00 p.m., Lakota East High School, Freshman Campus, Auditorium, 7630 Bethany Road

Why: Residential customers of Duke Energy will have three opportunities to speak before the PUCO and express concerns about how the proposed increase will affect their budgets. Testimony will be entered into the case file and considered as the PUCO makes its decision.

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.