Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

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Contact: Marty Berkowitz
(614) 387-2962

Office of Ohio Consumers’ Counsel pleased with PUCO’s action on Dominion late fees

COLUMBUS, Ohio – April 20, 2009 – The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) supported an April 16 decision by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) compelling Dominion East Ohio to amend its filing authorizing the assessment of late fees to delinquent ratepayers.

The filing would have enabled the utility to charge a 1.5 percent late fee to customers failing to pay their natural gas bill in full within 14 days of the date that the statement is issued. This action was at odds with an agreement among the OCC, PUCO staff, Dominion and others as part of the utility’s distribution rate case which allowed for collection of the fee for balances unpaid in the next billing cycle.

“We are pleased with the action taken by the Commission to enforce the terms agreed to in the rate case,” said Consumers’ Counsel Janine L. Migden-Ostrander. ”While we understand the need for utility companies to receive timely payments from customers, every effort should be made to extend latitude to families who may be struggling to keep their household bills current during these troubled economic times.”

Dominion enforced the new policy on statements generated this week. Customers who pay a fixed monthly budget bill will not be assessed a late fee for leaving an unpaid balance provided they pay the budget amount or entire balance, whichever is less, by the next billing cycle. Customers enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) also will not be affected by the policy as long as the PIPP amount is paid by the next billing cycle.

Customers charged a late fee who believe it was unfairly assessed should call the OCC at 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622).

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.