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Migden-Ostrander announces resignation;
OCC Governing Board names Weston as interim Consumers' Counsel

Ohio Consumers’ Counsel Janine Migden-Ostrander announced her resignation at the Sept. 21 meeting of the Governing Board of the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel. The Board has named Bruce J. Weston, deputy consumers’ counsel and legal director for the agency to take over as interim Consumers’ Counsel pending a search for a permanent replacement. Ms. Migden-Ostrander’s resignation will take effect Oct. 15.

Migden-Ostrander’s decision ended a seven-year term during which Ohio’s utility customers saw more than $8 billion in savings through the OCC’s direct and collaborative efforts with other organizations. Among the highlights of Migden-Ostrander’s tenure were the passage of landmark energy legislation that established energy efficiency benchmarks for Ohio’s utilities and the founding of advocacy groups such as Ohio Consumers and Environmental Advocates, a coalition of 20 consumer and environmental organizations who worked together in utility cases to keep rates fair and reasonable for residential customers.

“My decision to leave the OCC has been extremely difficult,” Migden-Ostrander said today.  “There is no other organization or agency that can replicate what the OCC has accomplished in its 35-year history.  I was fortunate to serve at the OCC in its nascent years.  It was an honor to return to the agency as the Consumers’ Counsel in April 2004.  However, I am looking forward to continuing my career and serving the public interest in my new position.”

Migden-Ostrander has accepted a position as principal consultant with the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) a global, nonprofit organization focusing on the long-term economic and environmental sustainability of the electric and natural gas industries, and providing assistance to government officials on a broad range of energy and environmental issues.

Upon being sworn in as third Consumers’ Counsel in the agency’s 35-year history, Migden-Ostrander developed and implemented an ambitious plan of action focused on providing high-quality representation on the public’s behalf and developing a regulatory environment giving customers the ability to make informed decisions giving them control over their energy usage. From legislative efforts that culminated in the inclusion of energy efficiency standards into Senate Bill 221, Ohio’s energy law to the establishment of a robust statewide outreach and education program, the OCC, under Migden-Ostrander’s leadership, has had a clear and lasting effect on the efforts of Ohioans to lower their utility bills through energy efficiency.

Residential and business customers across Ohio have learned, through the OCC’s hundreds of speeches, presentations and free publications how to save money on their utility services. The OCC has instructed thousands of residential utility customers about upgrading their appliances and equipment, insulating their homes and offices, and learning how to integrate new energy efficient technologies, such as smart grid into their lives.

In a difficult and often turbulent economy, the OCC’s advocacy before the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, state and federal courts and other regulatory agencies has saved customers billions of dollars in unnecessary utility rate expense. In 2011 alone, the OCC won a landmark victory at the Supreme Court of Ohio on behalf of American Electric Power customers. The Court accepted the OCC’s arguments on three issues, saving customers nearly $850 million. In another major victory, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) ruled that FirstEnergy’s transmission company, American Transmission Systems, Inc. (ATSI) could not charge customers more than $135 million in costs related to its decision to switch regional transmission organizations. The OCC was the only state agency to advocate that FERC hold ATSI accountable for these costs.

A great number of the OCC’s accomplishments have taken place behind the scenes. As Consumers’ Counsel, Migden-Ostrander established the Low-Income Dialogue Group (LIDG), bringing together advocates of the poor from around the state to discuss issues of concern and advocate for necessary consumer protections and programs. Through the advocacy of the LIDG, programs such as the Percentage of Income Program (PIPP Plus) were reformed, enabling thousands of low-income Ohioans to remain connected to their electric and natural gas service. Through negotiations with electric and natural gas utilities, the OCC and its LIDG partners helped establish shareholder-funded fuel funds and payment assistance programs, as well as home weatherization and discounts on home energy audits

Migden-Ostrander began her 30-year career in public utilities at the OCC where she served as an administrative assistant before earning a law degree from Capital University Law School.  She then was promoted to assistant consumers’ counsel and litigated a variety of cases involving state-regulated electric, natural gas, telephone and water utilities.

In 2010, Migden-Ostrander was awarded the Inspiring Efficiency Leadership Award presented by the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance. She was also given the 2007 "Public Servant of the Year" Award by the Ohio Environmental Council. “I am leaving the OCC satisfied that I have accomplished what I set out to do,” Migden-Ostrander added.

Mr. Weston brings more than 30 years of public utility law experience to his new position as interim Consumers’ Counsel. Prior to joining the OCC for the second time in October 2004, Weston was in private law practice.  He served as legal counsel for clients in cases involving utility rates, service quality, industry restructuring and competition.

Weston received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Cincinnati and began his career at the OCC in 1978 as a law clerk.  After earning his law degree from The Ohio State University, College of Law in 1980, he began a 12-year tenure as counsel for the agency and was subsequently named legal director as well as deputy consumers’ counsel.  Weston chairs the Public Utilities Law Committee of the Ohio State Bar Association.

By Marty Berkowitz and Beth Gianforcaro

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Winter reconnect order goes into effect in October

This winter, as in past years, residential customers who have had their electric or natural gas disconnected or are facing a disconnection have a one-time option, authorized by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), to keep their service from being interrupted or have it restored.

Between Oct. 17, 2011 and April 13, 2012, customers may pay their outstanding balance or $175, whichever is less, plus a $36 reconnection fee, if applicable.  For income-eligible households, funds provided through the Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (E-HEAP) or other energy assistance programs may be used to pay the $175 charge. Customers must enter a payment plan for any remaining balance.

Customers establishing new electric or natural gas service may use the $175 in lieu of the required security deposit. If the security deposit exceeds $175, the balance may be applied to the next month’s bill.

By Marty Berkowitz

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Important dates approach for PIPP Plus customers

With the first year of the updated Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP Plus) program quickly coming to an end, several important dates must be kept in mind and listed on customers’ calendars

Customers approaching their PIPP Plus anniversary date must re-affirm their enrollment in order to remain on the program. PIPP Plus is the statewide payment assistance program that allows income-eligible customers to pay a fixed percentage of their yearly household income each month for their utility bills. An updated version became effective last November and offers incentives such as lower monthly payments and a debt forgiveness program for participating customers who pay in full and on time each month.  

Reverification date

Each PIPP Plus customer must re-confirm their eligibility for the program within
60 days of their reverification date. This date may vary from year to year because the customer is required to reverify any time there is a change in their household size and income. It is important that customers keep track of this date each time there is a change in their status.  In addition, PIPP Plus customers are responsible for reporting any changes in income or the number of people in the home within 30 days to a local community action agency.

Customers may re-verify by submitting an application to the Ohio Department of Development by mail or by making an appointment with their local energy assistance provider.

Anniversary date

Natural gas and all Duke Energy Ohio customers must be current with their payments by their anniversary date, the date when they first enrolled, to remain on PIPP Plus. Customers have one billing cycle to become current with any missed payments. A missed payment includes any payments that are delayed because of a prior medical certificate or missed payments that resulted in disconnection.

The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) provides a full explanation of PIPP Plus in a fact sheet available on its website at www.pickocc.org/publications/assistance_programs/PIPP_Plus.pdf.

By Marty Berkowitz

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Energy education subject of national student competition

Elementary and middle school students across America have the opportunity to participate in a contest that will help families save money by saving energy at home. The U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Teachers Association have teamed up to educate students about the science of energy and the benefits of energy efficiency.

America’s Home Energy Education Challenge aims to motivate students to play a more active role in the energy they and their families use at home and look for ways to help reduce energy bills through greater efficiency. Students, teachers and principals who want to participate are encouraged to register online at HomeEnergyChallenge.org. Registrations began in August and ends Oct. 7.

During the challenge, students in grades 3-8, along with their teachers, will engage in an energy use comparison activity where students will be taught ways to save energy and they will apply them at home during a three-month competition period. The energy usage from the three-month period will be compared to the same three months last year to determine the savings the students were able to help achieve.

According to an Energy Department release, “Schools and classes will compete within 11 regions for more than $200,000 in prizes that will be distributed at the regional and national levels of the competition. The first place regional award winners will qualify for the national competition, in which a panel of educators, scientists, and energy experts will evaluate them for national awards.”

The challenge also will include an Energy Fitness Challenge where students will complete certain tasks, such as interpreting an energy bill and learning to conduct a home energy assessment, then demonstrating what they have learned. This part of the challenge begins Sept. 20. To find out more information on America’s Home Energy Education Challenge, visit HomeEnergyChallenge.org.

The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel has a number of materials on energy efficiency and energy education that can help with the challenge, including its Smart Energy Tips, available online at pickocc.org.

By Anthony Rodriguez

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Ohio utilities evolving to smart grid

Regulated electric utilities throughout Ohio are taking steps to upgrade their aging transmission and distribution infrastructures that will result in customers receiving electricity that is more economically priced and reliable. American Electric Power, Duke Energy Ohio and FirstEnergy all are working to build smarter grids to deliver electricity.

The smart grid is not a single upgrade, but a series of improvements that overhauls an electric utility’s distribution and transmission systems with 21st century infrastructure, metering and communications technologies. For more information about the smart grid, see An Introduction to Smart Grid, a publication from the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel.

Utilities have begun upgrading their systems on the customer side with the installation of smart meters and development of dynamic and time-of-use pricing. They also have made distribution system improvements to help deliver electricity more reliably and efficiently.

Utility Progress

American Electric Power
Since 2009, AEP has installed 134,000 smart meters. Of these, 110,000 meters are part of a $150 million smart grid demonstration project, of which half is funded by the federal government. The project focuses on a wide demographic in northeast Central Ohio. Four new voluntary pricing options are available and other dynamic pricing rates have been proposed. These programs give participating customers the opportunity to save money.

Duke Energy Ohio
Since 2008, Duke has installed 139,000 smart meters in its Ohio territory. Duke plans to install smart meters in its entire service territory, including 700,000 smart meters in Ohio. Duke was awarded a $200 million federal grant for its smart grid projects in Ohio, Kentucky and
Indiana. Currently, Duke offers its smart-metering customers the choice of two time-of-use rates and three dynamic pricing options.

FirstEnergy
FirstEnergy has received approval from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to introduce a smart grid pilot program in 2011 for 5,000 customers in its Cleveland Electric Illuminating territory. It has installed smart meters for participating customers and plans on making additional technologies available beginning in October. In the future, FirstEnergy may install an additional 39,000 smart meters. The utility was a recipient of a $57 million federal grant to implement smart grid technology.

Dayton Power & Light
The Dayton-based electricity provider is the only investor-owned company in Ohio that has not received a federal grant. It submitted a smart grid plan to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio in 2008 but later voluntarily withdrew it because of challenging economic conditions.

By Anthony Rodriguez

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Weatherization 101
Insulation can add up to big energy savings

There are several ways Ohioans can go about weatherizing their homes to save money on their future utility bills. One way consumers can add up the savings quickly is by improving insulation throughout the home.

By adding insulation to the attics, floors, crawl spaces and accessible basement joists, consumers can save up to 20 percent on their home’s heating and cooling costs. And since only 20 percent of homes built before 1980 are effectively insulated, many Ohioans could benefit greatly from added home insulation.

Insulation is an essential component to keeping temperatures in the rooms throughout the home more uniform and comfortable. Insulation is measured in R-values; the higher the value in the roof and walls of a home the more resistant it is to the transfer of heat – either coming in or going out.

When insulation is installed, it is important to know what R-value is needed for your home. The U.S. Department of Energy has general recommendations based on different U.S. regions. Consumers also can get specific R-value estimates for their home from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Generally, consumers in Ohio who heat with natural gas need insulation throughout the home with the following R-values to properly keep comfortable temperatures:

*Source: R-value calculator by Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Homeowners who are considering insulation as a home improvement project should know the federal government has an incentive for existing homes that would reduce the cost by 10 percent up to $500. This incentive is only available through Dec. 31, 2011. The state treasurer of Ohio can help consumers finance a weatherization project with a low-interest loan. For more information about the Eco-link program visit the state treasurer’s website.

By Anthony Rodriguez

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Getting ready for a cozy, cost-saving winter
Tune up your furnace and other tips

With the hot summer months at an end, now is the time for Ohio homeowners to turn their attention to preparing their homes to maintain a desirable comfort level during the bitter cold of winter. On its website, www.pickocc.org, the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) offers a comprehensive fact sheet, A customer guide to: Improving home energy efficiency, which includes basic energy efficiency tips. It is important to consider, particularly as the cold weather months approach, that each year, hundreds of dollars in energy bills are spent because of inefficiently performing furnaces and ducts that allow heated air to escape into unheated areas of the home. It is easy to prevent this through proper maintenance and following basic steps to ensure that little problems do not become big headaches.

Tuning up the furnace is similar to tuning up the family car. A motorist that changes the engine oil every six months or 3,000 miles and regularly replaces dirty filters is generally rewarded with a more efficiently running vehicle. The same is true with heating equipment in the home. During the winter, furnaces and hot water heaters are required to work harder to regulate home temperatures. Having them inspected by a professional can help save money and extend the life of the furnace.  Proper filter maintenance also ensures that dust and dirt particles are not inhibiting the smooth flow of warm air is essential. For pet owners and people with respiratory conditions, this can be an issue of even greater importance.

The frequency of filter changes can vary. It is best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions in making this determination but a simple test can be to remove the filter from the unit and hold it up to the light. If the bulb is visible, the filter is probably still effective. But the dirtier the filter, the harder the furnace will have to work. If it has to work too hard, there is a chance that that blower motor will burn out. This could lead to a much more expensive headache.

Changing filters is a task that a homeowner can do but it may be advisable to schedule annual furnace maintenance by a professional before or at the beginning of the winter heating season, particularly if the furnace is an older model. This generally costs about $100 but prices vary. A typical tune-up includes making sure the blower is clean and properly lubricated, checking the fan belts and furnace wiring to ensure there are no cracks and most importantly, examining the furnace area for the presence of carbon monoxide.

If the home has a hot water heater, several easy steps will ensure that warm air remains where it should:

• Set the temperature of the water heater between 115 and 120 degrees. The hotter the temperature, the easier it is for heat to be lost from the tank.
• Wrap an insulation towel around the water heater to preserve the heat.
• Use electric heat tape or foam rubber to insulate the pipes. This will keep the heat inside the pipes and prevent possible freezing.

Customers with oil heaters should perform regular yearly maintenance to ensure that the unit runs efficiently. Again, it is advisable to do this prior to the winter heating season before using the heater. Maintenance should involve inspecting the chimney, cleaning pipes, removing soot build up, replacing the air filter, checking oil pressure and cleaning the oil filter bowl.

Homeowners often dread the onset of inclimate weather because they assume that their heating bills will skyrocket. While the temperature outside is something that cannot be controlled, energy costs can be limited by taking efficiency measures such as weatherization as well as by proper maintenance of heating equipment within the home.

By Marty Berkowitz

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Consumers Corner now features an expanded online format

OCC offers additional educational materials to consumers via popular website

Beginning with its August issue, the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) introduced an expanded online edition of Consumers’ Corner.  The newsletter will continue to be published on a bi-monthly basis and published at the OCC website, www.pickocc.org. The new format will feature expanded articles containing information about utility issues, changes in the electric, natural gas, telecommunications and water industries and tips for saving energy and lowering bills. Customers can receive the e-newsletter, as well as other popular OCC fact sheets and publications, by subscribing to our email service or by downloading them from the website.

By Marty Berkowitz 

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FirstEnergy customers latest to be offered energy efficiency opportunities

In April edition of Consumers’ Corner, the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) reminded customers about a variety of energy efficiency programs electric and natural gas utilities are offering. FirstEnergy is now the latest utility to introduce programs for residential customers that, if utilized, can help reduce energy bills without reducing home comfort levels.

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved seven new residential energy efficiency programs FirstEnergy customers will be able to use to help improve efficiency in their homes. The available residential programs include an online audit, rebates for energy efficient products, a discounted home energy audit, a direct load control program that will offer bill credits, financial incentives for recycling old refrigerators, freezers or room air conditioners, incentives for building efficient new homes and a compact fluorescent light bulb program.

Each of the programs was tested to ensure that they would save customers more money than they cost. They also will be periodically reviewed to ensure they continue to save customers money. If needed, the OCC will recommend changes to the programs to ensure their effectiveness and availability to directly provide energy savings to customers.

FirstEnergy has five energy efficiency programs available for residential customers to use. The discounted home energy audit and new home incentives are expected to come available before the end of 2011. FirstEnergy customers should keep an eye on their monthly bills for more information on new programs and when they will become available. To find out more about the programs or to sign up, visit FirstEnergy’s website at www.energysaveohio.com.

Customers who participate in one or more of the programs will end up saving more money than what the programs cost them. Customers who do not participate in the programs will still benefit as energy efficiency offsets or delays the need to construct expensive power plants to meet Ohioans growing need for electricity.

Energy efficiency continues to be the least expensive way to meet an increasing demand for electricity that is expected to grow about 27 percent by 2030. It costs about 3 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) to develop energy efficiency programs. In contrast, building and operating a new nuclear plant could cost about 11.4 cents per kWh and a new natural gas plant could cost 6.6 cents per kWh.

By Anthony Rodriguez

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