http://www.pickocc.org/news/ Ohio Consumers' Counsel News en 60 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 05:15:00 PM EST http://www.pickocc.org/rss/images/occ-rss.gif http://www.pickocc.org/news/ http://www.pickocc.org/news/2010/pressrelease.php?date=03082010 The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) today asked the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to clarify its decision to restore discounts to FirstEnergy's all-electric customers. Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:30:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2010/pressrelease.php?date=03042010a The OCC has asked the Supreme Court of Ohio to reject an appeal from American Electric Power seeking to retain profits for services it is not providing. Thu, 04 Mar 2010 05:15:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2010/pressrelease.php?date=03042010 The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) joins other agencies and partners to provide consumers with tools to make wiser financial decisions during National Consumer Protection Week, March 7-13. The theme of this year's activities is "Dollars and Sense: Rated A for All Ages." Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:15:00 AM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2010/pressrelease.php?date=03032010 The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) today supported a decision that temporarily restores discounts to some customers of FirstEnergy living in all-electric homes. Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:00:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2010/pressrelease.php?date=02252010 The OCC took action today on behalf of more than 100,000 customers of FirstEnergy living in "all-electric" homes. The residential consumer advocate filed a pleading with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) asking for temporary and immediate relief from rate increases that some have reported being as high as 300 percent more than what they were paying a year ago. Thu, 25 Feb 2010 05:00:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2010/pressrelease.php?date=02242010a As a result of the first wholesale auction for Columbus Gas of Ohio, customers will see lower prices, according to the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC). Wed, 24 Feb 2010 04:00:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2010/pressrelease.php?date=02242010 The OCC has asked the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to deny Duke Energy Ohio's request to charge customers $31 million for costs it spent to restore service because of a 2008 windstorm caused by Hurricane Ike. Wed, 24 Feb 2010 02:30:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2010/pressrelease.php?date=02182010a FirstEnergy's compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) program continues to cost too much money, the OCC said in comments filed at the PUCO. The OCC has objected to a request the utility has made to collect costs from its fail CFL program that will not benefit customers in the redesigned program. Thu, 18 Feb 2010 03:30:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2010/pressrelease.php?date=02182010 Ashtabula and Tiffin: Consumers to voice opinions, concerns at Ohio American Water public hearings Thu, 18 Feb 2010 02:30:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2010/pressrelease.php?date=02112010 More access to broadband and improved service quality are some of the benefits for Ohio residential customers as a result of the merger between Frontier Communications Corp. and Verizon Communications, Inc., according to Consumers' Counsel, Janine Migden-Ostrander. Thu, 11 Feb 2010 02:30:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2010/pressrelease.php?date=02092010 New legislation has been introduce in the Ohio House that would create an advisory group of experts to review electric and natural energy efficiency programs in Ohio. The group would ensure a transparent and collaborative process takes place in the development of programs intended to help consumers become more energy efficient and ensure unreasonable costs are not added to customers' bills. Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:50:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2010/newsletters/february.shtml Features: Auctions scheduled for natural gas customers; Some water rate expenses would be limited under new bill proposal; Grants for solar water heating available; Additional funds available to assist eligible Columbia Gas customers; Some health issues can prevent utility disconnections Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:50:00 AM EST Newsletters http://www.pickocc.org/news/2010/pressrelease.php?date=01292010 Public hearings for the Ohio American Water proposed rate increase have been added in the Ashtabula and Tiffin. The OCC requested these two locations be added to the hearing schedule so more than 20,000 OAW residential customers have the opportunity to speak about the proposed rate increase. Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:30:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2010/pressrelease.php?date=01202010 Ohio American Water has filed a letter with the PUCO announcing it will remove the step-increase portion of its proposed increase request from its rate case. The OCC maintains that residential water consumers are warranted a rate decrease. Wed, 20 Jan 2010 04:30:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2010/pressrelease.php?date=01192010a Franklin County: Consumers to voice opinions, concerns at Ohio American Water public hearings Tue, 19 Jan 2010 04:30:00 PM EST Media Advisories http://www.pickocc.org/news/2010/pressrelease.php?date=01192010 Mansfield-Marion: Consumers to voice opinions, concerns at Ohio American Water public hearings Tue, 19 Jan 2010 10:30:00 AM EST Media Advisories http://www.pickocc.org/news/2010/pressrelease.php?date=01142010 Advocating for energy efficiency benefits has earned Ohio Consumers' Counsel Janine Migden-Ostrander the Inspiring Efficiency Leadership Award. It will be presented by the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance as part of the alliance's Midwest Energy Solutions Conference. Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:10:00 AM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/publications/water/Ohio_American_Water_Proposed_Rate_Increase.pdf New Fact Sheet - Ohio American Water Proposed Rate Increase Mon, 11 Jan 2010 02:00:00 PM EST Fact Sheets http://www.pickocc.org/news/2010/pressrelease.php?date=01082010 FirstEnergy's proposed bidding process to arrive at the generation rates customers will pay should be permitted but greatly modified. Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:10:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2010/pressrelease.php?date=01052010 Residential customers of Ohio American Water (OAW) would pay lower rates based on reductions sought by the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC). The consumer advocate yesterday filed testimony with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) asking to amend a proposed OAW rate increase. Tue, 05 Jan 2010 04:50:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/publications/electric/Smart_Grid_An_Introduction.pdf New Fact Sheet - Smart Grid: An Introduction Fri, 18 Dec 2009 09:30:00 AM EST Fact Sheets http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=12152009 Improvements were made to legislation passed by the Ohio Senate that deregulates local telephone service, but consumers need more protections. Tue, 15 Dec 2009 04:50:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=12092009a More than 45 consumer, senior and low-income groups from across Ohio are sending a letter to lawmakers urging them to strengthen two bills on behalf of the state's residential telephone consumers. The action underscores growing concern from consumers that the proposed bills, Substitute Senate Bill 162 and House Bill 276, are harmful to customers of basic and bundled phone services. Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:00:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=12092009 Improving residential customers' access to broadband and service quality are benefits contained in an agreement allowing the merger of Frontier Communications Corp. and Verizon Communications, Inc. Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:00:00 AM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=12072009 More than 40 consumer, senior and low-income groups will urge lawmakers to oppose Senate Bill 162 and House Bill 276, which allows rate increases for basic telephone services, weakens consumer protections, lowers telephone service quality standards, reduces low-income Lifeline benefits and fails to expand broadband access. Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:30:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=12022009 Columbia Gas of Ohio customers may see differences on their bills beginning in April because of an agreement among the utility, the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) and other parties. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) approved the agreement. Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:30:00 PM EST Press Releases http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=12012009 Telephone companies do not need less regulation, a consumer advocate will tell an Ohio House committee. Hearings on House Bill 276, legislation that would allow annual local telephone rate increases and weaken consumer protections, continues as widespread opposition mounts from consumer, low-income and senior groups across the state. Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:30:00 PM EST Press Releases