Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

2011 Press Releases

Governor signs securitization bill into lawDec. 21, 2011
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."
OCC: Residential consumers receive mixed results in AEP casesDec. 15, 2011
OCC: Residential consumers receive mixed results in AEP cases PUCO decides electric security plan, distribution rate case, rehearing on costs regarding appeal
Consumers' Counsel Governing Board Sub-Committee MeetingDec. 08, 2011
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.
OCC reaches agreement with AEP, others to significantly reduce distribution rate increase requestNov. 29, 2011
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.
Search continues for Ohio's next Consumers' CounselNov. 22, 2011
The search for Ohio's next Consumers' Counsel is currently ongoing with applications for the position being received from now until Dec. 10, 2011.
Electric plan agreement among OCC, Duke and others approved; customers' bills expected to decrease in 2012Nov. 22, 2011
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.
OCC, AARP Ohio host public meetings to explain utility assistance programsNov. 22, 2011
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.
OCC reaches agreement with Columbia gas to extend energy efficiency programsNov. 03, 2011
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.
Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel Governing Board Plans for Applications Process to Begin Nov. 10 to fill Consumers' Counsel Position; Moliterno serving as Chairman of the BoardOct. 26, 2011
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.
OCC recommends rate decrease of AEP's distribution chargesOct. 26, 2011
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.
OCC, Duke, others reach electricity cost agreement; Customer bills expected to be lower next yearOct. 25, 2011
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.
Special meeting of the OCC Governing BoardOct. 18, 2011
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.
Customer alert - Winter Disconnect program available to help customers avoid disconnectionOct. 14, 2011
Beginning Oct. 17, residential electric and natural gas customers who have experienced, or are facing, a disconnection will again have the option of making a one-time payment of $175 in order to maintain or restore their service.
Local public hearings to give AEP consumers chance to speak about potential rate increaseOct. 04, 2011
Four local public hearings will give consumers the opportunity to tell the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio what the impact of American Electric Power's proposed distribution rate increase will have on them.
OCC advocacy helps obtain $78 million in refunds for AEP customersOct. 03, 2011
AEP customers were awarded only a partial refund of unjustified costs that were the result of a successful appeal by the Ohio Consumers' Counsel to the Supreme Court of Ohio.
OCC recommends rejection of AEP settlement that would increase ratesSep. 28, 2011
OCC recommends rejection of AEP settlement that would increase rates
Consumers' Counsel Migden-Ostrander announces resignation from position; Weston named to interim position (link includes statements, letter)Sep. 21, 2011
- Summary of Accomplishments: 2004-2011 - Statement to the Press - Letter of Resignation - Statement from Bruce Weston
Ohio Consumers' Counsel Migden-Ostrander to discuss issues related to office personnel and operationsSep. 21, 2011
Ohio Consumers' Counsel Janine Migden-Ostrander will hold a news conference to discuss issues related to office personnel and operations.
OCC expresses concern about Columbia transition to retail auction in 2012Sep. 08, 2011
Restructuring the wholesale natural gas auction, as approved yesterday by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), will increase the cost of natural gas for customers who take default service from Columbia Gas of Ohio, according to the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC).
OCC continues advocacy in AEP rate increase proposalSep. 08, 2011
The OCC remains concerned about the impact on residential customers bills after American Electric Power files a settlement agreement on its proposed rate increase with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.
Public hearings on Duke Energy rate plan begin next weekAug. 26, 2011
Duke Energy Ohio customers will be able to voice their opinions on the utility's proposed rate plan during public hearings that begin Aug. 30.
Media Advisory: Meeting of the OCC Governing BoardAug. 23, 2011
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.
OCC recommends changes to AEP proposal to avoid rate shockJul. 26, 2011
The OCC has filed testimony recommending several changes to avoid significant rate increase for American Electric Power's residential customers.
Deep budget cuts force Ohio Consumers' Counsel to curtail services - Advocacy services will be reduced; customer call center closedJul. 12, 2011
The enactment of the State of Ohio's two-year budget legislation will significantly reduce the level of advocacy and customer services the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) provides to Ohio's 4.5 million residential utility households.
OCC recommendations would reduce AEP rates by almost $800 millionJun. 30, 2011
The OCC today filed testimony recommending rate adjustments that conform with an earlier Supreme Court ruling after AEP could not prove it has incurred any actual costs to provide back up power for shopping customers or that carrying charges for environmental investments prior to 2009 should be allowed.
Power plant refund due to AEP customers after 5-year construction deadline passesJun. 28, 2011
The Ohio Consumers' Counsel and other consumer groups have asked the PUCO to refund nearly $24 million, plus interest, to American Electric Power customers after the utility collected costs from them to construct a power plant but never built it.
OCC arguments result in removal of more than $135 million in FirstEnergy chargesJun. 07, 2011
The OCC has protected all FirstEnergy customers from paying more than $135 million in unjustified costs for the utility's business decision to switch regional transmission organizations. Customers would have paid as much as $614 million over 30 years had FirstEnergy's proposal been allowed.
OCC comments on passage of natural gas legislationMay. 25, 2011
The General Assembly today passed Amended Substitute House Bill 95, a measure that will enable natural gas companies to raise customers' distribution rates without a mandatory review by all concerned stakeholders of their costs. However, prior to passage, the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) achieved a victory for residential customers when the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee unanimously accepted its proposal to limit the number of capital expense riders (additions) utilities could request to one per year.
AEP failed to completely remove unlawful charges, collects additional $54 million from customersMay. 19, 2011
The OCC today asked the PUCO to reject revised rates that do not completely remove charges the Supreme Court of Ohio ruled unjustified. The OCC also asked that AEP be directed to file new rates that conform with the PUCO's directive, and consider assessing a financial penalty against the utility.
OCC encourages AEP customers to testify at upcoming public hearingsMay. 17, 2011
The OCC encourages AEP customers to testify on the company's proposed rate plan at five local public hearings scheduled for June.
Comparing your electric choices with the OCCMay. 12, 2011
The OCC has developed a new resource so residential customers have the necessary information available to them if they decide to shop for electricity.
In response to House passage of a 51.3 percent cut to OCC's budgetMay. 06, 2011
Ohio Consumers' Counsel Janine Migden-Ostrander today issued a statement in response to the Ohio House of Representatives' vote Thursday in favor of a more than 51 percent cut to the budget of the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), the state advocate for more than 4.5 million residential utility customer households.
AEP told to stop collecting unlawful charges from customersMay. 05, 2011
American Electric Power customers' will see lower bills after certain utility rates were ordered to be suspended because of a unanimous decision by the Supreme Court of Ohio that ruled they were unlawful. The PUCO order came after the OCC and other customer groups requested the changes.
OCC coalition asks PUCO to stop AEP's collection of $175 million in rates deemed unlawful by Supreme Court of OhioApr. 27, 2011
The OCC and other customer groups have asked the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to protect American Electric Power customers from charges the Supreme Court of Ohio ruled were unlawful April 19.
OCC wins at Supreme Court on AEP electric security plan, protects customers from unlawful and unreasonable rate increases approved by the PUCOApr. 19, 2011
In an unanimous decision, residential utility customers received a major victory after the Supreme Court of Ohio agreed with the Ohio Consumers' Counsel that the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio improperly allowed American Electric Power to collect unlawful rates.
Cost for home energy audits offered by Dominion reducedApr. 13, 2011
Dominion East Ohio customers will now be able to get a home energy audit performed for $50. The audit offered by Dominion has a $500 value.
FirstEnergy energy efficiency programs approvedMar. 23, 2011
Advocacy by the Ohio Consumers' Counsel resulted in the removal of costly storage fees associated with FirstEnergy's failed compact fluorescent light bulb program but excluded several OCC recommendations that would have eliminated about $1 million in costs that were unreasonable or provided no benefits to customers.
Statement from the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel In response to 50 percent cut in agency budget for next fiscal bienniumMar. 15, 2011
On March 15, 2011, Gov. Kasich released his budget for the next biennium, which included a 50 percent cut to the OCC. A statement has been issued by Consumers' Counsel Janine Migden-Ostrander in response.
Cincinnati Bell basic service rates increased in 12 ExchangesMar. 08, 2011
The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) advises customers of Cincinnati Bell that rates for basic local exchange service primary and additional lines will increase effective March 17. Directory assistance (DA) services will also increase March 17. Additional services for customers in suburban Cincinnati will increase April 1.
Dominion auctions result in lower rates for residential customersMar. 02, 2011
Beginning April 1, Dominion East Ohio Gas residential customers will pay nearly $20 less per year for their natural gas supply. The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) attended two auctions yesterday where the lower Standard Choice Offer (SCO) and Standard Service Offer (SSO) amounts were determined.
Ohio may see reduced federal LIHEAP fundingFeb. 28, 2011
Federal budget negotiations underway in Washington, D.C. may result in substantial cuts to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) which helps low-income residential customers pay their utility bills.
Residential utility customers will learn about customer rights and safeguards during National Consumer Protection WeekFeb. 23, 2011
The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) is joining other state and federal agencies to discuss utility issues and educate residential customers about consumer protections during National Consumer Protection Week, March 6-12.
FirstEnergy customers should not pay for costs linked to regional transmission organization switchFeb. 23, 2011
FirstEnergy customers should not pay for costs linked to regional transmission organization switch
Duke rate plan ruled not compliant; changes could produce customer savingsFeb. 23, 2011
The OCC recommend Duke Energy Ohio re-file its market rate option after the PUCO ruled it was not compliant with Ohio law. Re-filing the plan with modifications could result in savings for Duke's customers.
Residential customers reminded to be cautious about door-to-door solicitationsFeb. 18, 2011
A recent increase in complaints about aggressive activities by door-to-door marketers has caused concerns relating to residential customers, particularly seniors, being targeted for a quick profit. The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) has actively worked to curtail unfair and deceptive marketing practices.
Residential customers reminded about energy efficiency tax creditsFeb. 15, 2011
As tax preparation season approaches, the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) reminds customers who made energy-efficiency improvements to their homes during 2010 that they may be eligible to receive credits on their federal income tax returns.
OCC comments on selection of Rep. Snitchler as PUCO ChairmanFeb. 10, 2011
The OCC today issued comments congratulating Rep. Todd A. Snitchler on his appointment as chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.
Columbia auction results in price breaks for customersFeb. 09, 2011
Columbia Gas of Ohio customers will see lower bills beginning in April, according to the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC). The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) today approved the results of a wholesale auction that resulted in seven winning bidders sharing portions of Columbia's natural gas supply.
Customers could save under Duke Energy market rate offer proposalFeb. 04, 2011
Duke Energy Ohio customers could save on their generation costs if suggested modifications by the OCC are accepted by the PUCO.
OCC offers tips for thousands of Ohioans without powerFeb. 02, 2011
The OCC is offering suggestions and tips for the estimated 200,000 residential customers in Ohio who have experienced power outages as a result of a winter storm that has affected millions of Americans.
Statement from the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel - In Memory: Richard SoloveJan. 28, 2011
We send our thoughts and prayers to Jerry and his family at this difficult time.
OCC to argue at Supreme Court for AEP refundJan. 26, 2011
The OCC is set to argue for a refund of $63 million in charges billed to AEP customers retroactively in 2009.
Vectren auction results in lower rates for residential consumersJan. 20, 2011
The latest auction to determine new natural gas rates for Vectren Delivery of Ohio will result in a rate decrease for residential customers on the standard choice offer. The new rate goes into effect April 1.
Excessive profits to be returned to AEP's Columbus Southern Power customersJan. 12, 2011
AEP's Columbus Southern Power customers are due a $43 million refund after the PUCO ruled there were significantly excessive earnings. The OCC recommended excessive earnings of up to $156 million be returned to customers.
Half of Duke's $28.5 million request for storm costs disallowedJan. 12, 2011
Recommendations from the Ohio Consumers' Counsel were adopted and will save Duke Energy Ohio customers from paying $14.4 million related to the 2008 Hurricane Ike windstorm.
Basic local service rates to increase for all AT&T Ohio residential customersJan. 06, 2011
AT&T Ohio residential customers who receive only basic telephone service will see their monthly rates increase by $1.25, effective Jan. 7, 2011, the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) has learned.

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