Newsletter Archive

2008 Newsletters
May/June 2008
Features:
  • Consumers speak out against higher FirstEnergy rates
  • OCC in your corner
  • Learn about the availability of enhanced 911
  • Utility bills can be a valuable tool to reduce energy usage
  • Need to Know: Remember to call first before you dig
  • Program your way to energy savings
March/April 2008
Features:
  • Energy alternatives, transparency crucial to energy future
  • March brings FirstEnergy customers the chance to speak up
  • OCC in your corner
  • Utility rate cases begin heating up
  • Natural gas agreements to benefit Columbia Gas customers
  • Q&A: My utility wants to raise my rates. What can I do?
January/February 2008
Features:
  • Advocacy for consumer protections continues as energy policy legislation reaches Ohio House
  • Managing winter heating bills through efficiency and assistance
  • OCC in your corner
  • Clear access helps to get meter read
  • Revised telephone rules go into effect
  • Rumors about national Do-Not-Call list can confuse consumers
  • Q&A: Telephone Lifeline programs help start and maintain service
2007 Newsletters
November/December 2007
Features:
  • Your voice is needed on state energy legislation
  • OCC in your corner
  • Facts to consider about utility line warranty programs
  • Assistance available for winter
  • Need to know: 'Green' energy terms
September/October 2007
Features:
  • Complaint handling comes back to Ohio's utility consumer advocate
  • Improved Electric Service and Safety Standards needed
  • Support a cleaner U.S. with green options
  • OCC in your corner
  • Energy rates would rise under utilities' proposals
  • Some gas risers to be replaced
  • Q&A: Prepaid Calling Cards
July/August 2007
Features:
  • Summer program offers cooling assistance to Ohio residents
  • Stay cool while saving energy
  • New federal rules address privacy of customers’ telephone records
  • OCC in your corner
  • Upgrading light bulbs will save energy
  • Understand energy bills, control costs with OCC resources
  • Q&A: Water softening
May/June 2007
Features:
  • Know the impact of appliances with interactive energy house
  • Smart Energy. Smart Future.
  • OCC is in your corner
  • Tool helps Verizon customers compare options
  • SOLAR 2007 Conference
  • Program would give green option to AEP customers
  • Q&A: Telephone service fees
March/April 2007
Features:
  • Natural gas riser investigation
  • Telephone customers alerted to tax refund
  • Consumers have utility resource through 1-877-PICKOCC
  • OCC is in your corner
  • Upgrades can save money, energy and the environment
  • Read the fine print to be an informed consumer
January/February 2007
Features:
  • Diversified energy plan can make Ohio's future bright
  • OCC is in your corner
  • Meter reading is an important safety measure
  • Safety should come first when heating your home
  • Who’s calling you may be anyone’s guess
  • OCC to help inform consumers on utility issues
  • Q&A: Energy efficiency tax credits
2006 Newsletters
November/December 2006
Features:
  • Winter heating bill assistance available for residential consumers
  • Landmark year highlights OCC advocacy and education efforts
  • OCC assists Dominion East Ohio customers with billing change
  • OCC is in your corner
  • Lesson No. 4: Renewable energy resources - biomass energy
  • Protections for telephone customers up for review
  • Plans could allow AT&T Ohio, Cincinnati Bell to increase basic local telephone rates
  • Q&A: Winterizing your home
September/October 2006
Features:
  • Natural gas choice may help manage winter heating costs
  • Third decade brings utility changes, savings
  • Changes for Dominion customers
  • OCC is in your corner
  • Lesson No. 3: Renewable energy resources - hydroelectricity
  • Federal assistance available to help rural consumers afford energy improvements
  • Internet surfing can lead to unintended telephone charges
  • Q&A: Preparing for winter
Special Anniversary Issue
Features:
  • A message from the Consumers' Counsel
  • The '70s and '80s paved the way
  • The '90s: OCC worked to lower rates and educate consumers
  • 2000-2006: OCC enters a new era of advocacy
  • The next 30 years of utility service
  • OCC connects with consumers
  • Pickocc.org: Portal to OCC history
July/August 2006
Features:
  • Comprehensive energy efficiency programs would lower electric bills
  • OCC advocacy strengthens in second decade
  • OCC is in your corner
  • Lesson No 2: Renewable energy resources - solar power
  • Avoiding the summertime blues
  • Advocates work to safeguard your personal information
  • Q & A: Summer utility assistance
May/June 2006
Features:
  • Updated rules and new electric rate options would help consumers
  • First watchdog set OCC into action
  • Renewable energy resources lesson #1 – wind power
  • Identity theft is still an issue
  • Consumers’ voices were heard in telephone rules case
  • Q & A: Learn about the Ohio Energy Loan Fund
March/April 2006
Features:
  • Consumers’ Counsel vigilantly working to achieve benefits
  • OCC’s first 10 years – leveling the playing field
  • Beyond 4-1-1 and 9-1-1: Knowing about additional information numbers
  • OCC has new fact sheets for consumers
  • Renewable resources are a growing energy source
  • Q&A: Home telephone service options
January/February 2006
Features:
  • Stay connected to utility services this winter
  • Thirty years of advocating for Ohio residents
  • New plans bring customers higher electric rates
  • Mid-winter home checklist
  • Telephone Lifeline keeps consumers connected
  • Q&A: 2005 Energy Policy
2005 Newsletters
November/December 2005
Features:
  • Assistance programs help Ohioans stay warm
  • Understanding the Percentage of Income Payment Plan
  • Make a difference in your heating bills
  • Staying safe and warm during a power outage
  • Q&A: Telephone rights with 900 & 976 charges
September/October 2005
Features:
  • Rising natural gas prices: What to expect
  • Prepare to control your winter heating costs
  • Consumers have options for payment assistance
  • Help available when shopping for natural gas
  • Q&A: Local telephone deregulation
July/August 2005
Features:
  • Know your electric rights
  • Study shows long-term benefits of energy efficiency
  • Consumers with medical need should prepare for outages
  • Electric outages: Myth vs. fact
  • Saving water will save consumers money
  • Q&A: Bundled telecommunications packages
May/June 2005
Features:
  • Consumers' Counsel sets the stage for long-term benefits
  • Summer power outages: safety tips and consumer rights
  • Q&A: Transferring your telephone number
  • Telephone options to protect your identity
  • Stay cool and save money
March/April 2005
Features:
  • Electric choice deserves a chance to succeed
  • New materials assist residential consumers
  • Q&A: Call blocking services
  • The facts about utility line insurance
  • Energy Efficiency Tips
January/February 2005
Features:
  • Stay connected with assistance programs
  • Managing your winter energy bills
  • Updated handbook will help consumers
  • Q&A: Utility issues for renters and landlords
  • The facts about budget billing programs
2004 Newsletters
November/December 2004
Features:
  • Natural gas prices - what to expect this winter
  • Managing your natural gas bill
  • Q&A: Do-Not-Call list facts
  • Consumers hit by Internet virus billed for international telephone calls
  • Tips to help protect consumers dialing up for Internet access
  • Around Ohio - industry news around the state
  • Convenient ways to pay bills can add up
September/October 2004
Features:
  • Be aware of your natural gas choices
  • New OCC publications available to aid consumers
  • PIPP debt crediting program helps natural gas customers
  • Q & A: Learning about DSL service
  • OCC launches Action Alerts Network
  • Consumers made a difference in electric rate plan decision
July/August 2004
Features:
  • Moving forward: The vision of the new Consumers' Counsel
  • Views on utility issues
  • Spending less to stay cool
  • Programs available to lower electric bills, save money
  • Water conservation can lower your bills
  • Q & A: Long-distance service plans and fees
May/June 2004
Features:
  • OCC Governing Board selects Janine Migden-Ostrander as new Consumers' Counsel
  • Plan today to save money this summer
  • Digital age brings local, long-distance phone alternatives
  • Electric metering: Know your rights, responsibilities
  • Learn more about telephone fees
  • Reading your electric meter
  • Water standards and consumer safeguards
March/April 2004
Features:
  • Reading fine print protects consumers
  • OCC calls for electric reliability investigation
  • Q & A: Natural gas safety in the home
  • Ohioans on Do-Not-Call list can take action
  • Communities explore energy aggregation
  • Keep your telephone ringing by knowing service rights
January/February 2004
Features:
  • Residential electric customers need to remain protected
  • Keep personal information private to reduce calls
  • Q&A: Cutting the cord
  • Customers with cell phones can keep their number
  • New features await consumers at pickocc.org
  • Power outage knowledge
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