Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

Legislation to limit water company’s rate case expenses (House Bill 344, Senate Bill 228)

The Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate are considering legislation that would lower the amount of rate case expenses large investor-owned water and sewer utilities, such as Ohio American Water (OAW) and Aqua Ohio, can recover from their customers.

In Ohio, the rates private water and sewer companies may charge customers are set by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. This includes a review of all financial information submitted by a utility and incorporates the services of attorneys, consultants, expert witnesses and utility employees, and the presentation of studies and other evidence by the company. Currently, water and sewer companies can request full recovery of these "rate case expenses," which are figured into the rates proposed to charge customers.

House Bill 344 (HB 344), introduced Nov. 4, 2009, would limit up to 50 percent of the amount of rate case expenses water and sewer utilities may recover from customers. OAW and Aqua Ohio, Inc. both have more than 15,000 customers and would be subject to this law. The companion bill in the Senate, Senate Bill 228 (SB 228), was introduced, Feb. 17, 2010.

The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel worked with Reps. Jay Goyal (Mansfield) and Marian Harris (Columbus) and Sens. Jim Hughes (Columbus) and David Goodman (Bexley) to develop legislation that would require large water and sewer utilities to pay their fair share of rate case expenses.

Legislation
Fact Sheets
Maps
Testimony
Take Action

The OCC is urging Ohioans to contact their legislators in support of House Bill 344. Find out who your legislator is and how to take action.

 

Information believed accurate but not guaranteed.
For information about our privacy policy and copyright, visit our Legal Disclaimer page.
The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel is an equal opportunity employer and provider of services.
Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel - Your Residential Utility Consumer Advocate OCC Seal Home En Español Search Ask Utility Questions Action Alerts