Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

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Contact: Marty Berkowitz
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OCC asks PUCO to clarify order to restore FirstEnergy discounts

COLUMBUS, Ohio – March 8, 2010 – The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) today asked the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to clarify its decision to restore discounts to FirstEnergy’s all-electric customers.

The state’s residential consumer utility advocate, in response to questions received from consumers after the PUCO’s issued its order, is seeking clarification from the Commission regarding whether the restoration of discounted rates to 2008 levels will apply to all FirstEnergy customers in all-electric homes, regardless of when they took occupancy. The OCC also is seeking clarification of whether allegations that FirstEnergy promised owners of all-electric homes a permanent discount will be addressed during the PUCO’s staff investigation.

“While the PUCO’s order was good news for many all-electric consumers, the wording of the order left several important questions unanswered,” said Consumers’ Counsel Janine Migden- Ostrander. “We have heard from several customers who need to know whether their rates will be rolled back. We are particularly concerned that some customers may still be forced to pay higher rates while their neighbors won’t, simply because of when they moved into their homes.”

Included in its filing, the OCC asked the PUCO:

To clarify whether all-electric customers from each FirstEnergy territory will receive the discounts, regardless of when they took occupancy of their all-electric home;
To clarify that all-electric customers receiving both distribution and generation rate discounts are covered by its order; and
To specify whether its staff will investigate allegations of promises made to homeowners and builders with respect to the duration of the discounts.
To provide quicker access to the information the OCC requested regarding FirstEnergy’s promotional practices, and a greater opportunity for the public to comment on residential rates.

The PUCO’s decision returned rates for some all-electric customers to those in effect on Dec. 31, 2008. FirstEnergy was required to file the new rates within 14 days of the order. A staff investigation into the development of a long-term resolution of FirstEnergy’s rate structure for all-electric customers will be conducted. The findings of the investigation are due in 90 days. The OCC will review the findings and take appropriate steps to represent residential consumers. FirstEnergy serves about 1.9 million customers in Ohio.

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.