News Release

Consumers of Vectren encouraged to testify at public hearing about proposed $27 million rate hikeAug. 06, 2008
The OCC is encouraging customers of Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio to testify about the utility’s proposed natural gas delivery rate increase at local public hearings in Sidney, Dayton and Washington Court House.
Consumers receive additional local public hearings on Dominion East Ohio's proposed rate increaseAug. 01, 2008
Consumers will have three additional evening opportunities in to voice their opinions on Dominion East Ohio's proposed natural gas delivery rate increase to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. The additional hearings will be held in Garfield Heights, Youngstown and Akron.
Ohio Consumers' Counsel reacts to potential rate increases in proposed Electric Security PlansJul. 31, 2008
The OCC will be carefully reviewing each utility's Electric Security Plan and is concerned about any rate increases for residential consumers.
Consumers alerted to misleading letter on the status of Dominion East Ohio natural gas choice programJul. 31, 2008
A customer letter sent to potentially thousands of Dominion East Ohio customers could mislead those residents into believing that the utility will stop supplying natural gas in the coming months, the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel said today. Contrary to the claims of the marketer, Dominion East Ohio Energy, customers will not be automatically switched if they do not choose a supplier. Customers still have the choice of staying with Dominion East Ohio.
OCC files testimony in Vectren rate case; Higher fixed-rate costs will impact lower-income customers the mostJul. 24, 2008
A proposal by Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio to shift natural gas charges from a usage-based to a fixed customer rate will disproportionately increase bills to low-income, low usage customers, the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), the residential utility consumer advocate, said in testimony filed on July 23 at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).
OAW customers get chance to voice opinions on water increase requestJul. 24, 2008
Customers of Ohio American Water have the opportunity to give their opinions and concerns to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio on proposed water and wastewater rate increases during four scheduled public hearings.
Columbia Gas customers to be offered new ways to reduce natural gas usageJul. 24, 2008
Columbia Gas will begin offering new energy efficiency programs for customers beginning January 2009 following approval granted by the PUCO. The programs were developed after Columbia Gas reached an agreement with the OCC and other parties.
Consumers' Counsel disappointed at PUCO's failure to reconsider harmful Duke Energy rate case decisionJul. 23, 2008
The OCC criticizes a decision by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to uphold a May 2008 order that will increase the flat-rate customer charge by more than 300 percent over the next year while lowering the portion of the delivery charge that varies according to how much gas a customer uses.
Ohio Consumer and Environmental Advocates Issue Comments on Proposed Electric RulesJul. 22, 2008
Ohio Consumer and Environmental Advocates recommends significant changes to electric pricing rules proposed by the staff of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).
Additional public hearings requested by OCC and consumer advocacy groups in Dominion East Ohio rate caseJul. 10, 2008
The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), the residential utility consumer advocate, and other consumer advocacy groups today are filing a request with the Public Utilities Commission (PUCO) asking for additional public hearings on the proposed $75 million Dominion East Ohio rate increase.
Utility Consumer Advocates Raise Initial Concerns about Electricity Prices and Rules for OhioansJul. 02, 2008
A coalition of Ohio's utility consumer advocates - including the OCC - will be carefully reviewing proposed rules issued today by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to implement Senate Bill 221, the bill recently signed into law designed to address electricity prices, energy efficiency, and alternative energy planning.
Energy efficiency programs offered to all residential Columbia Gas customersJul. 02, 2008
With the help of the OCC, Columbia Gas of Ohio will offer new energy efficiency programs that all residential consumers can utilize. Over the next three years, the programs could save consumers up to 815,000 Mcf of natural gas.
Ohio American Water customers facing another rate increaseJun. 27, 2008
The rate increase requested by Ohio American Water should be lowered by $2 million for residential customers. The OCC has several objections to expenses, revenues, profits, service quality and rate structure as proposed in the company's request.
Consumers' Counsel asks PUCO to reconsider restructured Duke Energy natural gas ratesJun. 27, 2008
The OCC asks the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to reconsider its decision restructuring Duke Energy’s natural gas delivery rates, which would result in its customers’ flat-rate charge increasing by more than 300 percent over the next year while lowering the portion of the delivery charge that varies according to how much natural gas a customer uses.
Consumers' Counsel reacts to decision on potential AT&T basic rate increasesJun. 25, 2008
The OCC reacts to a decision by state regulators that could lead to basic local service rate increases for AT&T Ohio customers in seven areas, however one community was spared.
Ohio Consumers' Counsel presents evidence against Dominion East Ohio's proposed rate increaseJun. 23, 2008
A rate increase request by Dominion East Ohio should be rejected because the utility has failed to prove it needs additional money from its customers, the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), the residential utility consumer advocate, will say today in testimony to be filed at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).
Dominion East Ohio auctions may continue benefiting residential customersJun. 18, 2008
The OCC is pleased with the approval of a plan to hold additional natural gas auctions to help determine the price Dominion East Ohio customers pay.
CenturyTel imposes 10 percent price increase on many telephone featuresJun. 09, 2008
The OCC alerts CenturyTel's local telephone customers of price increases for numerous commonly-used services. The increases are permitted without review by state regulators since the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) allowed CenturyTel to operate under "elective alternative regulation" rules.
PUCO orders more than 300 percent increase to customer charge for Duke natural gas customersMay. 28, 2008
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio orders a record 300-plus percent increase over the next year to Duke Energy's natural gas flat-rate customer charge despite the objections of the OCC.
Consumers' Counsel weighs in on Duke Energy request to transfer power plantsMay. 20, 2008
The OCC requests that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recognize Ohio's right to determine whether a Duke Energy proposal to transfer its power plants away from its Ohio operating company should be authorized.
AT&T denied the ability to raise basic rates in seven Ohio communitiesMay. 14, 2008
State regulators have agreed with the OCC that AT&T Ohio be denied the ability to increase the rates it charges customers for basic local service in seven exchanges.
Consumers' electric rates in hands of PUCO after Governor Strickland signs energy policy legislationMay. 01, 2008
The signing of Senate Bill 221, Ohio's energy policy legislation, puts the future of residential customers' electric rates in the hands of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). As rules are proposed and rate plans are considered, the OCC will continue to advocate for and protect the interests of Ohio's residential ratepayers.
New pricing structure could save money for Ohio's Vectren natural gas customersApr. 30, 2008
Vectren customers in the Miami Valley will have the potential to save money through changes in the way their natural gas is priced.
Electric legislation passed today contains mixed results for residential consumersApr. 23, 2008
The OCC's initial review of the electric legislation passed today shows that some of the key safeguards the agency has advocated for on behalf of Ohio's 4.5 million households have been adopted while other important safeguards were not.
Customer service issues to be resolved by Aqua OhioApr. 18, 2008
The OCC came to an agreement with Aqua Ohio that is designed to improve customer service and other issues facing its water customers.
Consumers' Counsel supports advanced energy provisions but disappointed in versions of overall energy policy billApr. 15, 2008
Ohio and its residential consumers would benefit from the General Assembly passing the advanced energy portions of Senate Bill 221, Ohio's energy policy legislation. The OCC recommended that the remainder of Senate Bill 221 be significantly changed if it is passed by the House and sent to a legislative conference committee in its current form.
Ohio House version of energy bill adds OCC recommendations to protect consumersApr. 10, 2008
The OCC is optimistic about a new version of Senate Bill 221, Ohio's energy policy legislation. The OCC had recommended changes to the original legislation that would ensure residents would be provided the lowest cost energy option and adopt renewable and energy efficiency standards to provide Ohioans with a diverse portfolio of energy resources.
Safety issues with natural gas risers to be resolved at reduced costsApr. 09, 2008
The approval of an agreement among Columbia Gas of Ohio, the OCC and other stakeholders will result in natural gas riser safety issues being resolved at a reduced cost to residential consumers.
Ohio Consumers' Counsel says FirstEnergy's rate increase request should be reduced by more than $300 millionMar. 28, 2008
The OCC requests that a proposed distribution rate increase by FirstEnergy be cut by more than $300 million and a new investigation be opened to address the utility's service reliability.
Dominion East Ohio natural gas changes subject of three local public hearingsMar. 27, 2008
Public hearings will be held by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to give residential consumers the opportunity to voice their opinions on changes to the method Dominion East Ohio uses to purchase natural gas. The changes would result in a competitive auction process to obtain natural gas supply for customers.
Energy shutoff moratorium ending, but heating help is still availableMar. 14, 2008
With a special 90-day moratorium on shutoffs ending on March 18, the OCC wants as many residents as possible to avoid disconnection and alerts them that assistance programs are available.
Ohio Consumers' Counsel reacts to Supreme Court decision on AEP's proposed IGCC plantMar. 14, 2008
The OCC is pleased with the decision handed down by the Ohio Supreme Court concerning the collection of costs for American Electric Power's proposed integrated gas combined cycle power plant.
Ohio Consumers' Counsel's statement on selection of Cheryl Roberto as PUCO CommissionerMar. 07, 2008
The OCC reacts to the appointment of Cheryl Roberto to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.
Ohio Consumers' Counsel reacts to Supreme Court of Ohio decisions on AT&T, Cincinnati Bell basic rate flexibilityMar. 06, 2008
The OCC reacts to the Supreme Court of Ohio's decisions on AT&T and Cincinnati Bell basic local service "alternative regulation."
Consumers' Counsel pleased with $250,000 penalty against Verizon for missing service benchmarksMar. 05, 2008
The OCC reacts to Verizon being held accountable for missing service quality benchmarks.
Agreement on Duke Energy natural gas rate case would cut base rate increase by nearly halfFeb. 29, 2008
An agreement reached involving some of the major issues within Duke Energy's natural gas rate case would benefit residential consumers by trimming the increase proposed by the utility. The OCC and all other parties involved in the case signed the agreement, which must receive the approval of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) Commissioners before going into effect.
Vectren natural gas changes subject of two local public hearingsFeb. 27, 2008
Public hearings will be held by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to give residential consumers the opportunity to voice their opinions on changes to the method Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio uses to purchase natural gas.
Ohio Consumers' Counsel supports House Speaker Husted's renewable energy and energy efficiency measuresFeb. 21, 2008
The OCC supports measures introduced to improve Ohio's use of renewable energy and help lower consumers' demand for electricity
Consumers receive local public hearings on proposed FirstEnergy rate increaseFeb. 13, 2008
The OCC encourages residential consumers of FirstEnergy to participate in upcoming local public hearings by testifying on the electric utility's proposed rate increase. A total of 12 hearings have been scheduled from March 5 through March 24.
Aqua Ohio consumers receive public hearings on proposed rate increaseFeb. 05, 2008
The OCC encourages residential consumers of Aqua Ohio to participate in local public hearings Feb. 25 and 27 by testifying on the water utility's proposed rate increase.
Consumers receive local public hearings on proposed Duke Energy rate increaseFeb. 04, 2008
The OCC encourages residential customers of Duke Energy-Ohio to participate in local public hearings scheduled for February 21 and 25 on the utility's natural gas rate increase request.
Ohio Consumers' Counsel opposes Duke Energy natural gas base rate increaseJan. 29, 2008
The OCC believes a proposed rate increase for Duke Energy Ohio's natural gas customers is unreasonable and should be rejected. When all components of Duke's plan are considered, the case could cost all customers (residential, commercial and industrial) $500 million over the next several years.
Rate increase request should be dismissed for Ohio American Water's customers in Franklin and Portage countiesJan. 24, 2008
The OCC has asked the PUCO to reconsider its decision which approved a more complicated and lengthy public notice by Ohio American Water. The approval also allowed the application to increase rates to be considered for Franklin and Portage counties even though OAW has failed to fulfill its commitments to resolve the poor quality of water.
Ohio Consumers' Counsel opposes FirstEnergy distribution rate increases; many customers' rates should go downJan. 10, 2008
The OCC believes a proposed distribution rate increase for FirstEnergy's residential customers is unreasonable. According to the OCC's experts, distribution rates should go down - not up - in two of FirstEnergy's Ohio operating companies (Cleveland Electric Illuminating and Ohio Edison). The increases should be reduced from those filed by the third company (Toledo Edison).
Cincinnati Bell customers' rates increase for second consecutive yearJan. 08, 2008
The OCC alerts customers that Cincinnati Bell Telephone has increased monthly rates for basic local telephone service in the Cincinnati and Hamilton exchanges for the second year in a row.

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