http://www.pickocc.org/news/ Ohio Consumers' Counsel News en 60 Thu, 12 Mar 2009 09:20:00 AM EDT http://www.pickocc.org/rss/images/occ-rss.gif http://www.pickocc.org/news/ http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=03122009 The OCC encourages customers of Duke Energy to voice their opinions about an electric distribution rate increase request at local public hearings held in Cincinnati and Liberty Twp. beginning Monday, March 16 by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Thu, 12 Mar 2009 09:20:00 AM EDT Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=03102009 The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), the residential utility consumer advocate, advises natural gas customers of Columbia Gas of Ohio that a $2.1 million emergency assistance fund has been established by the utility to help customers who are having difficulty paying their heating bills but do not qualify because of income requirements for existing energy assistance programs. Tue, 10 Mar 2009 04:20:00 PM EDT Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=03092009 The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), the residential consumer advocate, advises natural gas customers of Duke Energy Ohio to learn whether they are eligible to participate in Duke's "Ohio Residential Low Income Pilot Program." Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:20:00 PM EDT Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=03062009 The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), the residential utility advocate, advises consumers enrolled in Gas Choice programs with a supplier to become familiar with and understand all of the contract language before accepting an offer. Fri, 06 Mar 2009 10:20:00 AM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=03032009 The OCC encourages customers of Duke Energy Ohio to express their opinions about the utilitys proposed electric distribution rate increase during upcoming Cincinnati and Liberty Township public hearings before the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). Tue, 03 Mar 2009 02:00:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=02272009a The proposal to raise electric distribution rates for Duke Energy customers is too high and should be reduced by 46 percent for all customers. Other changes that should be made to protect residential customers include reducing the proposed customer charge, revised allocation of a rate increase and a prudence review of storm recovery. Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:40:00 AM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=02272009 The OCC and other members of the Ohio Consumer and Environmental Advocates came to a supplemental agreement with FirstEnergy that will add consumer protections to its proposed electric security plan. The agreement added better terms for governmental aggregation, low-income payment assistance, a renewable energy credit program and consumer representation in the development of energy efficiency programs. Fri, 27 Feb 2009 10:00:00 AM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=02252009 The OCC is joining state and federal agencies, consumer protection agencies and other partners to educate consumers and provide them with tools to make wiser financial decisions during National Consumer Protection Week, March 1-7, 2009. Wed, 25 Feb 2009 05:00:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=02242009a The Ohio Consumer and Environmental Advocated reached an agreement with Dayton Power & Light which will benefit customers and hold rate increases to reasonable levels. The agreement will continue DP&L's current rate plan until 2012 and add energy efficiency and renewable energy to the company's electric portfolio. Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:40:00 AM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=02242009 A proposed transfer of control of the Ohio operations of Embarq Communications to CenturyTel Inc. should meet conditions proposed by the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), according to a motion filed by the OCC. Tue, 24 Feb 2009 08:40:00 AM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=02232009 The Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), the residential utility advocate, advises customers that Cincinnati Bell has raised rates, effective February 17, 2009, in the following six exchanges: Cincinnati, Hamilton, Bethany, Harrison, Little Miami and Williamsburg. Mon, 23 Feb 2009 04:10:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=02192009 FirstEnergy consumers are not properly protected in a proposed electric security plan settlement. Along with members of the Ohio Consumer and Environmental Advocates, the Ohio Consumers' Counsel said residential consumers could lose out on tens of millions of dollars in savings through governmental aggregation along with other necessary consumer protections. Members of OCEA did not sign the proposed settlement. Thu, 19 Feb 2009 05:30:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/newsletters/january.shtml Features: Agreement cuts Columbia Gas of Ohio distribution rate increase request by nearly half; 1 in 10 Ohioans disconnected from utility service; Partnership calls for electric reliability investigation; Energy efficiency programs available to Ohioans; How to choose a programmable thermostat; Payment assistance available for heating season; OCC continues advocacy on electric security plans; Changes to PIPP, disconnection rules coming Wed, 18 Feb 2009 03:45:00 PM EST Newsletters http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=02112009 Natural gas bills for customers using an average of 99.1 Mcf per year and served by Dominion East Ohio Gas will be reduced by approximately $100 beginning in April through March 31, 2010 as a result of two separate online auctions held yesterday. Customers enrolled in the Energy Choice Program and served by an independent marketer are not affected by yesterday's auction. Wed, 11 Feb 2009 02:35:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=02102009 Public hearings for the Dayton Power & Light electric security plan have been set by the PUCO. The OCC is encouraging all DP&L residential consumers to attend and testify at a public hearing. Tue, 10 Feb 2009 03:50:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=02042009 The OCC has opposed AT&T Ohio's proposal to limit distribution of its printed white pages to only those customers who request them. In a filing at the PUCO, the OCC sought consumer protections to ensure that residential consumers who want or need a printed directory continue to be able to receive one free of charge unless they notify the company otherwise. Thu, 05 Feb 2009 08:50:00 AM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=01262009 The OCC files the testimony of its expert witnesses at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio challenging Dayton Power & Light's (DP&L) proposed Electric Security Plan. In its filing, the OCC offers recommendations that would provide significant benefits to DP&L customers over at least the next three years. Mon, 26 Jan 2009 04:20:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=01212009 Residential customers of FirstEnergy will pay more for the distribution of their electricity, but not as much as the utility had requested. However, much of the requested rate increases not permitted by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio were based upon deferred costs that could result in unjustifiable future rate increases. Wed, 21 Jan 2009 05:20:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=01142009a The OCC believes that FirstEnergy customers should not be at risk for paying a rider on their electric bills. Today, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved a rider, proposed earlier this month by FirstEnergy. The rider would compensate FirstEnergy for the difference in the price charged in current rates and the results of an auction held to provide power to customers through March 31, 2009. Wed, 14 Jan 2009 04:40:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=01142009 The PUCO has yet to act on a request of several consumer groups, including the OCC, to investigate the reliability of Ohio's major electric utilities but today allowed both Dayton Power & Light and Duke Energy Ohio to defer storm-related costs with interest related to damage from hurricane-strength winds in September 2008. Wed, 14 Jan 2009 03:40:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=01082009 The OCC advises residents served by Dayton Power & Light that their electric rates increased effective Jan. 1. The increases are the result of the continuation of a rate plan approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio in 2005. Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:00:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=01072009b Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio customers will see increased distribution charges after a ruling today by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). The decision will allow Vectren to raise its flat-rate customer charge from $7 per month to $13.37 per month, with a corresponding decrease in the portion of the distribution rate that consumers pay based on their usage. Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:00:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=01072009a A decision by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio follows the OCC and other consumer groups' recommendations to reduce rates for FirstEnergy's residential customers beginning in 2009. FirstEnergy will not be allowed to continue charging some of its customers for adders that were scheduled to expire at the end of 2008. This will result in lower interim rates for residential customers Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:00:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=01072009 Despite concerns by the OCC, a decision by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) will limit the distribution of Cincinnati Bell's white pages telephone directory. Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:00:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=01062009 The OCC seeks consumer protections to ensure that residential consumers who want or need a printed white pages telephone directory continue to be able to receive one free of charge. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:00:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2008/pressrelease.php?date=12292008 Given the state of the economy, many consumers' New Year's resolutions will involve saving money. To help consumers meet their New Year's resolutions, the OCC is offering free weatherization workshops around the state. Mon, 29 Dec 2008 11:35:00 AM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2008/pressrelease.php?date=12232008 FirstEnergy's rates for its Ohio Edison and Toledo Edison customers should be reduced beginning in 2009, the OCC, along with other consumer groups, told the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio in a filing. Tue, 23 Dec 2008 05:55:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2008/pressrelease.php?date=12192008b Several arguments made by the OCC in the FirstEnergy electric security plan case were accepted by the PUCO that will benefit residential consumers. Fri, 19 Dec 2008 05:25:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2008/pressrelease.php?date=12192008a The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel is pleased that its recommendations were supported through a decision by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to keep American Electric Power (AEP) rates stable through February 2009. Fri, 19 Dec 2008 05:15:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2008/pressrelease.php?date=12192008 The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) today approved a change to its original order in the Dominion distribution rate case. The decision restored the amount of the annual revenue increase for the natural gas utility to $40.5 million, the amount authorized in the stipulated agreement signed by the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel, the PUCO staff, Dominion and other interested parties and approved by the Commission on August 25. Fri, 19 Dec 2008 03:45:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2008/pressrelease.php?date=12172008b The OCC responds to a decision removing a safety net for telephone customers facing disconnection for non-payment of bills for "bundled services" with options ranging from call waiting and call forwarding to satellite television and Internet access. Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:05:00 AM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2008/pressrelease.php?date=12172008a A decision by the PUOC to modify an agreement between the OCC, Duke Energy and others on the utility's electric security plan has left the residential utility advocate with mixed reactions. Wed, 17 Dec 2008 05:15:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2008/pressrelease.php?date=12172008 Basic local service rates could increase for Embarq customers in 25 exchanges, however 19 communities were spared due to a decision released today by state regulators. Wed, 17 Dec 2008 03:15:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2008/pressrelease.php?date=12152008 A newly-formed partnership of consumer groups -- Consumers for Reliable Electricity in Ohio -- requests that the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio investigate each of Ohio's investor-owned electric utilities, American Electric Power, Dayton Power & Light, Duke Energy and FirstEnergy, to determine whether they are doing enough to limit the breadth and depth of power outages in their respective regions. Mon, 15 Dec 2008 03:15:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2008/pressrelease.php?date=12102008 Over the opposition of the OCC, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio granted Cincinnati Bell's request to be able to annually raise basic rates through "alternative regulation" in the Bethany, Harrison, Little Miami and Williamsburg exchanges. Wed, 10 Dec 2008 03:15:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2008/pressrelease.php?date=12032008 A higher flat-rate charge and a lower usage-based fee will greet customers of Columbia Gas of Ohio in the new year after a ruling today by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). Wed, 03 Dec 2008 04:35:00 PM EST Press Releases