Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

U.S. Energy Department awards grants to reduce costs,
improve quality of LEDs

June 2011 – The U.S. Department of Energy announced June 7 that it will fund eight research and development projects to speed up the development of light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs and other high efficiency solid state lighting. The $15 million in grants were awarded in an effort to reduce costs and improve quality and performance of LED bulbs. Read more about the grants awarded in the DOE press release and energy efficient lighting at the Solid-State Lighting Program website.

General Information

Electricity is everywhere…in your homes and offices, out on the ball field and inside the gymnasium. It lights the streets at night and sounds the alarm clock in the morning. Our society uses electricity every second of every hour, every day of the year.

A lot has changed in the electric industry since Ohio native Thomas Edison invented the light bulb in 1879. Large electric companies invested money to build generation plants and transmission grids to provide power to Ohioans. In 2001, state law opened the electric market to competition. In some parts of the state, residential consumers have been able to choose an electric supplier. In other parts of the state, competition has been slow to develop.

The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) represents the interests of residential consumers on electricity issues and participates in proceedings before state and federal regulators and in the courts. The agency also educates residential consumers about changes in the electric industry and offers information and resources on electric related issues.

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.