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Contact: Anthony Rodriguez
(614) 466-9547

Public hearings scheduled in Ashtabula and Tiffin regarding Ohio American Water proposed rate increase

COLUMBUS, Ohio – January 29, 2010 – The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) is encouraging customers of Ohio American Water (OAW) in Ashtabula and Tiffin to testify at local public hearings about the company’s proposed rate increase:

Monday, February 22, 2010 at 5 p.m.
Ashtabula Township Office, Meeting Room
2718 North Ridge East
Ashtabula, Ohio 44004

Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 5 p.m.
Tiffin Municipal Building, Courtroom
51 E. Market Street
Tiffin, Ohio 44883

The OCC asked the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to add hearings in these cities to those already scheduled in other OAW districts. These additional hearings will give Ashtabula’s 13,000 customers and Tiffin’s 7,520 customers the opportunity to voice their opinions to the PUCO about the affects the proposed increase will have on them.

Ohio American Water originally asked to increase its system-wide rates by $25 million for water and sewer service over four years. OAW dropped its request Jan. 20 for a three-year step increase in rates from 2011-2013. Despite that decision, the OCC has objected to this proposal and recommended that rates for residential water consumers be decreased from current levels.

If the PUCO accepts its staff’s adjustments and the OCC’s additional recommendations, average water rates for residential consumers in Ashtabula and Tiffin would experience a rate decrease of 8.1 percent, based on a monthly usage of 10 Ccf (hundred cubic feet).

The OCC also is seeking to maintain or improve water quality, improve low-income programs, properly address conservation plans and make other improvements that will adequately protect consumers.

At the hearing, consumers can testify about the quality of water, the adequacy of service, the proposed rate increase requested by the company or any other issues they feel are pertinent to the case.

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 website at www.pickocc.org.