Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

Government Relations

The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) continued its diligent approach to tracking and analyzing all bills that would affect residential utility consumers during the 126th General Assembly. The OCC also played a major role in helping legislators with their understanding of residential utility issues and at the same time advocated for stronger and more permanent funding from the legislature for weatherization assistance and energy efficiency solutions for low-income consumers.

Consumers’ Counsel Janine Migden-Ostrander and Government Affairs Director Dennis Stapleton testified in both the House and Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committees on several pieces of legislation alerting legislators to residential energy issues. OCC staff members also worked with the Ohio Department of Development’s Office of Energy Efficiency and the Department of Administrative Services with the passage of House Bill 251, sponsored by Representative Joseph Uecker (R-Miami Township). This bill creates new guidelines in energy efficiency and procurement practices for state-owned facilities.

The Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee Chairman, Robert Schuler (R- Sycamore Township), introduced Senate Bill 298 that would establish the framework for state energy policy guidelines. The OCC worked closely with Chairman Schuler and other stakeholders, and was able to introduce conceptual language for a renewable energy portfolio standard; sustainable practices in energy efficiency and conservation; short and long-term forecasting for electric generation; distributed generation development; and a review of income eligibility standards for energy assistance programs with a view towards increasing eligibility. This bill passed out of the Senate committee but ran out of time as 2006 came to an end before the bill could be brought to the Senate floor for a vote. This legislation did however set the parameters for a new state energy policy upon which the 127th General Assembly and the new administration can embark in 2007.

Listed on the following page are various bills that were introduced and referred to various committees in 2006. The OCC is diligent with keeping legislators informed about residential utility issues and providing assistance to the legislative offices and staff when needed.

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OCC has had to cancel many of its services, including its consumer call center, due to recent budget cuts. We realize you may continue to need assistance with your utility services. OCC's website provides free access to publications and resources.

You may seek assistance with utility complaints from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio:
800-686-7826. For complaints about non-utility related services, you may call the Ohio Attorney General
at 800-282-0515.