Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

Media Center

DP&L customers still have time to join new electric choice program

A guest column by Janine Migden-Ostrander, Consumers' Counsel

COLUMBUS, Ohio, December 1, 2004 - Customers of Dayton Power & Light (DP&L) have until December 10 to sign up for a new electric choice pilot program. Earlier in November, DP&L mailed detailed program information and enrollment materials to customers.

The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), the residential utility advocate, strongly encourages consumers to review all the enrollment materials that were provided and consider signing up for the program that, if successful, will provide guaranteed savings on their electric bills. So far more than 22,000 customers have taken advantage of this opportunity.

Enrolling in the program

Consumers have until December 10 to join or "opt in" to the program that will pool their electric load together in a group to save money on their electric bills. To sign up consumers simply need to complete and return the enrollment form sent by DP&L or call toll free at 1-888-418-3476.

Ins and outs of the program

In an effort to find one or more suppliers to serve the group, a competitive bidding process will take place. The suppliers that can offer the most savings will be selected to provide electricity to program participants. If in the initial bidding process, a supplier only can serve a percentage of the customers, a selection process will take place to determine which customers will be served. Then, the bidding will continue to find a supplier for the remaining enrolled customers. This process could take up to eight months to complete, depending on market conditions. If an offer is not received by August 2005 that would guarantee savings on customer electric bills, the pilot program will be discontinued.

However, if a competitive supplier is able to provide savings, consumers will be notified of the rate and terms and conditions of the service and have an opportunity to withdraw or "opt out" of the group. Consumers who do not opt out of the program automatically will be included in the group and will receive a confirmation letter from DP&L notifying them of their new supplier.

Consumers have a final opportunity to opt out of the program at no cost within seven days of the postmark date on the confirmation letter.

Whether or not consumers participate in this program, DP&L will continue to deliver electricity to their homes, repair poles and wires and send customers their monthly bills.

To learn more about the program

Consumers can contact the OCC toll free at 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) or visit its website at www.pickocc.org for more information on this program.

About the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), the residential utility consumer advocate, represents the interests of 4.5 million households in proceedings before state and federal regulators and in the courts. The state agency also educates consumers about electric, natural gas, telephone and water issues and resolves complaints from individuals. To receive utility information, brochures, schedule a presentation or file a utility complaint, residential consumers may call 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) toll free in Ohio or visit the OCC website at www.pickocc.org.