http://www.pickocc.org/news/ Ohio Consumers' Counsel News en 60 http://www.pickocc.org/rss/images/occ-rss.gif http://www.pickocc.org/news/ http://www.pickocc.org/news/2012/pressrelease.php?date=05042012 OCC has filed testimony advocating the PUCO reject some charges in AEP's electric security plan that should not be collected from residential customers. Fri, 04 May 2012 5:00:00 -0400 Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2012/pressrelease.php?date=05032012 Sen. Shannon Jones Amends Legislation to Avoid Further OCC Budget Reduction Thu, 03 May 2012 5:00:00 -0400 Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/publications/electric/Electric_Modified_AEP_ESP.pdf American Electric Power (AEP) has reapplied to increase customers' bills after it filed a new rate increase request March 30, 2012, at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:00:00 -0500 Fact Sheets http://www.pickocc.org/news/2012/newsletters/march.shtml Features: Bruce J. Weston named Consumers' Counsel; AEP Ohio rates rejected by PUCO, future customer bills return to December rates; All Ohioans to benefit from low natural gas prices; New telecom legislation passes Senate; New financing tool can help lower costs to electric customers; Privacy standards a necessity for smart grid Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:00:00 -0500 Newsletters http://www.pickocc.org/news/2012/pressrelease.php?date=04162012 Four public hearings in American Electric Power's rate increase proposal have been scheduled by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. AEP customers will have the opportunity to voice their opinions on the affects the proposal may have on their individual situations. Mon, 16 Apr 2012 10:00:00 -0400 Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/lservices/sb271-telecom.shtml Senate Bill 271: Proposed legislation allows telephone companies to stop providing basic phone service in some areas Thu, 22 Mar 2012 11:00:00 -0500 Fact Sheets http://www.pickocc.org/news/2012/pressrelease.php?date=03202012b Bruce J. Weston has been selected to serve as the next Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), only the fourth in the agency's 35-year history, the OCC Governing Board announced today. He has been serving as the Interim Consumers Counsel at OCC since October 2011. Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:30:00 -0400 Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2012/pressrelease.php?date=03202012 OCC will present oral arguments at the Supreme Court of Ohio advocating for the inclusion of additional 2009 profits into American Electric Power's significantly excessive earnings test which could result in the return of an additional $22 million to customers of AEP's Columbus Southern Power utility. Tue, 20 Mar 2012 12:00:00 -0400 Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2012/pressrelease.php?date=03062012b The OCC has asked the PUCO to deny AEP the ability to increase two charges that would harm electric competition in Ohio and to return unjustified charges to customers. Tue, 06 Mar 2012 03:00:00 -0400 Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2012/pressrelease.php?date=03062012 Ohio American Water customers have the opportunity to testify at local public hearings scheduled regarding the utility's request to increase rates. Tue, 06 Mar 2012 02:30:00 -0400 Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2012/pressrelease.php?date=02292012 Dominion customers who buy their natural gas from the utility will save nearly $40 per year after a natural gas auction reduced the cost of the retail price adder by 40 percent to 60 cents per thousand cubic feet. The new rate goes into effect April 1. Wed, 29 Feb 2012 03:00:00 -0400 Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2012/pressrelease.php?date=02232012 The PUCO rejected an American Electric Power settlement and it will return rates to similar levels customers paid in December 2011. The decision to reject the settlement also could affect a number of other cases that were resolved including the company's distribution rates, and others. Thu, 23 Feb 2012 03:00:00 -0400 Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2012/pressrelease.php?date=02142012 Columbia Gas customers will save about $29.75 per year after a natural gas auction reduces the cost for a retail price adjustment. The new rate goes into effect April 1. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:00:00 -0400 Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2012/newsletters/january.shtml Features: Duke Energy customer bills decrease by $22 in 2012; AEP customer bills increase 6 percent; Legislation could affect telephone, water-sewer customers; Some Lifeline customers may see their rates increase; Recent incidents create a renewed emphasis on natural gas safety; 6 tips to save energy in the New Year; Retail auctions set for Columbia Gas customers in 2012 Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:00:00 -0500 Newsletters http://www.pickocc.org/news/2012/pressrelease.php?date=02012012 Customers who buy their natural gas from Vectren will experience savings beginning in April after an auction resulted in a retail price adjustment that is 30 cents cheaper than the current rate. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:30:00 -0400 Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2012/pressrelease.php?date=01182012b AEP Ohio customers will not pay for closing costs for a 450-megawatt power plant the utility plans to shut. Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:15:00 -0400 Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2012/pressrelease.php?date=01182012 The Governing Board of the Office of the Ohio Consumers Counsel (OCC) decided after deliberation during its regular meeting today that six candidates will be offered interviews for the position of Consumers Counsel. Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:00:00 -0400 Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2012/pressrelease.php?date=01032012 Under Ohio's new telecommunications law, some telephone companies now have the ability to annually increase monthly basic local service rates for Lifeline customers by up to $1.25. Lifeline programs provide financial assistance to low-income residents and help ensure that they can afford telephone service, either through a traditional wire line company or through a qualified wireless provider. Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:30:00 -0400 Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/publications/water/Ohio_American_Water_Proposed_Rate_Increase.pdf New fact sheet: Ohio American Water - Proposed water/sewer rate increase Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:30:00 -0500 Fact Sheets http://www.pickocc.org/news/2011/pressrelease.php?date=12212011 Ohio becomes the 20th state to authorize electric utilities the ability to finance certain assets through low-interest bonds. The law could help save millions of dollars in utility costs for customers. The OCC was instrumental in helping get consumer protections inserted into the law that ensures financing by electric utilities results in "both measurably enhancing cost savings for customers and mitigating rate impacts to customers." Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:30:00 -0500 Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2011/pressrelease.php?date=12152011 OCC: Residential consumers receive mixed results in AEP cases PUCO decides electric security plan, distribution rate case, rehearing on costs regarding appeal Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:00:00 -0500 Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2011/pressrelease.php?date=12122011 A special meeting of the Governing Board Sub-Committee will take place at the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel, 10 W. Broad St., 18th floor, Columbus, OH. Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:00:00 -0500 Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2011/pressrelease.php?date=12152011 Testimony of Bruce J. Weston before House Public Utilities Committee Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:00:00 -0500 Testimonies http://www.pickocc.org/news/2011/pressrelease.php?date=11292011 American Electric Power (AEP) customers will not experience an increase to base distribution rates after the OCC reached an agreement with AEP and others Nov. 23. The agreement also provides for an annual $14 million credit to residential customers through May 2015 and allows AEP to charge customers for costs the PUCO previously approved that had been delayed for collection. Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:00:00 -0500 Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2011/pressrelease.php?date=11222011b The search for Ohio's next Consumers' Counsel is currently ongoing with applications for the position being received from now until Dec. 10, 2011. Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:30:00 -0500 Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2011/pressrelease.php?date=11222011a The agreement that should lower Duke Energy Ohio customers' bills in 2012 was approved by the PUCO, with some potential modifications. The approval will result in generation rates being set through a competitive auction that has lowered rates in other parts of Ohio. Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:30:00 -0500 Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2011/pressrelease.php?date=11222011 The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel and AARP-Ohio (formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons) are holding a series of free public discussions focused on affordability and other utility issues significant to Ohioans, such as options to avoid disconnections, electric and natural gas choice programs, energy efficiency and conservation. Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:30:00 -0500 Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2011/newsletters/november.shtml Features: OCC and AARP to hold free "Managing Your Utility Bills" workshops; $78 million to be returned to AEP customers; OCC recommends reduction in one AEP proposal, objects to settlement in second; Agreement in Duke electric plan expected to lower customers' bills; Winter reconnect order requires PIPP Plus customers to pay up to $100 towards their electric and natural gas balances; Medical Certifications can prevent utility disconnection; How to save on your energy bills; OCC Governing Board Welcomes Two New Members - Moliterno Selected Board Chairman Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:00:00 -0500 Newsletters http://www.pickocc.org/news/2011/pressrelease.php?date=11032011 The OCC and Columbia Gas of Ohio reached an agreement that will expand on the utility's energy efficiency programs. The current and new programs bring will help even more Ohioans save money and reduce their use of natural gas. Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:30:00 -0400 Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2011/pressrelease.php?date=10262011a During a special meeting today of the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) Governing Board, a preliminary timetable was determined for the hiring of the state's fourth Consumers' Counsel. Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:00:00 -0400 Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2011/pressrelease.php?date=10262011 The OCC has recommended a $51.8 million reduction of American Electric Power's distribution charges that will provide residential customers rate relief if accepted by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:30:00 -0400 Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2011/pressrelease.php?date=10252011 Duke Energy customers are expected to see lower electric costs next year after the OCC and several others reached an agreement with the utility on its pending electric rate proposal. Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:00:00 -0400 Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2011/pressrelease.php?date=10182011 A special meeting of the Governing Board will take place at the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel, 10 W. Broad St., 18th floor, Columbus, OH. Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:30:00 -0400 Press Releases