Message from the Consumers' Counsel:

30 Years of Strong Consumer Advocacy

As you may know, the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) is celebrating 30 years of serving as Ohio's advocate for residential customers of investor-owned electric, natural gas, telephone and water companies. As a state agency we represent the interests of 4.5 million households in proceedings before state and federal regulators and in the courts. In addition, we provide information and respond to questions from consumers about their electric, natural gas, telephone and water services.

As we celebrate our 30 years as an advocate, we have published the OCC's accomplishments over the years in our Consumers' Corner newsletter, and I have traveled throughout the state of Ohio giving presentations to organizations that are interested in learning about utility issues. We also have taken a look back at the major events affecting utility consumers since the Ohio General Assembly created the agency in 1976, and we have provided insight as to where utility services could be headed in the future.

This year brings special significance to me because I had the pleasure of serving as a staff member and later as a young attorney during the early days of the office - from 1977 through 1984 - only to come back to lead the agency as Consumers' Counsel in 2004.

Although much has changed over the last three decades, one constant thing has remained - the OCC's steadfast advocacy in representing the interests of residential consumers. I have fond memories of the benefits we have achieved and I am looking forward to the work we will accomplish in the years ahead.

For more information on the OCC's 30th Anniversary, I encourage you to click here [removed].

Best regards,

Janine L. Migden-Ostrander