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American Electric Power Utility’s Earnings ‘Significantly Excessive,’ $156 Million Refund Due to Customers

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 19:27:11 GMT

An analysis of an American Electric Power (AEP) utility’s profits by the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) has concluded the utility’s earnings from its electric security plan were “significantly excessive.”

(PRWeb October 13, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/power_utility_earnings/significantly_excessive/prweb4649714.htm

Consumers’ Counsel Disappointed in PUCO Approval of FirstEnergy Rate Plan

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:10:00 GMT

The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) criticized a decision today by state regulators that failed to secure the lowest possible standard service rates for FirstEnergy’s customers by approving the utility’s rate plan.

(PRWeb August 25, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/08/prweb4429794.htm

Beat the Heat: Ohio Consumers' Counsel to Educate Ratepayers at the Ohio State Fair

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:25:00 GMT

Residential consumers can save money on their energy bills while staying cool this summer. That’s the message the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) will share with fairgoers at its booth in the Marketplace building at the 2010 Ohio State Fair from July 28 through Aug. 8.

(PRWeb July 21, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/OCC/Ohio-State-Fair/prweb4287954.htm

Consumers' Counsel Responds to Undue Delay in Excess Earnings Cases

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Further delays at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) could mean the denial of refunds to customers of one of American Electric Power’s operating companies, Columbus Southern Power, according to the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, the residential utility consumer advocate.

(PRWeb July 16, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/07/prweb4269884.htm

Consumer Alert: Beware of Unauthorized sale of TracFone’s SafeLink Cell Phones and Monthly Minutes

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 07:00:00 GMT

The nation’s utility consumer advocates today alerted consumers about the unauthorized sale of TracFone’s Safelink product online, including wireless handsets and monthly minute allotments. Safelink is supposed to be available only to income-eligible customers.

(PRWeb June 17, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/06/prweb4152114.htm

OCC: FirstEnergy Agreement Should be Rejected by PUCO

Sat, 17 Apr 2010 07:00:00 GMT

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) should reject an agreement among FirstEnergy, the PUCO staff and others to establish an electric security plan from June 2011-May 2014. The PUCO should instead issue a decision on the utility’s pending market rate offer case, the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) said in testimony filed yesterday.

(PRWeb April 17, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/OCC/PUCO/prweb3887224.htm

Improved Telephone Deregulation Bill Passes Ohio Senate, But More Changes Needed

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Improvements were made to legislation passed by the Ohio Senate that deregulates local telephone service, but consumers need more protections, according to the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, which will now turn its attention to the House version of the legislation, Amended House Bill 276. The OCC hopes to further protect consumers through amendments in the House.

(PRWeb December 16, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/consumer_group/Ohio_lawmakers/prweb3350844.htm

More than 45 Consumer Groups Urge Ohio Lawmakers To Oppose Harmful Telephone Legislation

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Today, 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. Today’s 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.

(PRWeb December 10, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/consumer_group/Ohio_lawmakers/prweb3320544.htm

Ohio Consumers' Counsel Files new Appeal of AEP Case at Supreme Court

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:00:00 GMT

The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) is back in court trying to stop American Electric Power (AEP) from collecting hundreds of millions of dollars in unlawful rate increases.

(PRWeb November 06, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/11/prweb3168034.htm

Consumer Advocates Launch Effort to Defeat Telephone Industry's Legislation

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 07:00:00 GMT

A diverse group of consumer advocates joined today as Ohioans Protecting Telephone Consumers (OPTC) to call for the defeat of deregulation legislation that allows rate increases for basic telephone services, weakens consumer protections and lowers service quality standards.

(PRWeb October 24, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/10/prweb3102084.htm

Utility Consumer Advocates Call for FCC to Deny Verizon-Frontier Merger

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 07:00:00 GMT

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) should reject the merger of Frontier Communications Corp. and Verizon Communications, Inc., the nation's utility consumer advocates said today.

(PRWeb September 22, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/NASUCA/FCC/prweb2917934.htm

Consumers Need to Know About Lifeline Telephone Assistance Programs

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 07:00:00 GMT

With millions of consumers struggling in today’s economy, their advocates on utility issues want to increase public awareness of Lifeline and Link-Up programs. Both federal programs offer payment assistance for basic local telephone service, making it more affordable for eligible consumers to stay connected or get reconnected.

(PRWeb September 15, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/nasuca/lifeline_telephone/prweb2882424.htm

Ohio Consumers' Counsel Says PUCO Should Deny Frontier, Verizon Telephone Merger without Consumer Protections

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 07:00:00 GMT

A proposed merger of two telephone companies should be rejected, the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) announced today. If the merger of Frontier Communications Corporation and Verizon Communications, Inc. is to be approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), conditions should be required.

(PRWeb August 19, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/Verizon_Frontier/Telephone_Merger/prweb2766264.htm

Ohio Consumers' Counsel: Approval of Duke Electric Distribution Rate Case Agreement to Benefit Residential Consumers

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Duke Energy electric distribution rate increases will be limited and payment assistance programs will be made available for residents who need them, according to an agreement approved by state regulators today, said representatives of the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), the residential utility consumer advocate.

(PRWeb July 09, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/Electric_Distribution/Rate_Increases/prweb2622444.htm

Ohio Consumers' Counsel Opposes Level of Ormet Electric Discount to be Paid by AEP Customers

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:00:00 GMT

An electric discount proposed for one company could cost all Ohio customers of American Electric Power (AEP) as much as $2.8 billion over 10 years.

(PRWeb July 02, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/07/prweb2601154.htm

Approval Of Dayton Power & Light Rate Plan Will Benefit Residential Customers

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 07:00:00 GMT

A limit on rate increases through 2012 will mean benefits for customers of Dayton Power & Light (DP&L).

(PRWeb June 25, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/06/prweb2575914.htm

Nation's Utility Consumer Advocates Call for Significant Consumer Voice in Electric Transmission and Wholesale Market Issues

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 07:00:00 GMT

The nation's utility consumer advocates today called for major steps to be taken in protecting retail (residential, commercial and industrial) electric customers regarding transmission costs, wholesale markets and related issues. The changes recommended by the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA) relate to how regional transmission organizations and independent system operators (collectively, RTOs) are governed.

(PRWeb June 20, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/consumer_advocate/utilities_electricity/prweb2555294.htm

Consumers' Counsel Reacts to Denial of Request to Halt AEP's Retroactive Rates

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:26:42 GMT

The Supreme Court of Ohio yesterday denied the request of the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) to block American Electric Power (AEP) from continuing to collect the retroactive portion of its recent rate increase.

(PRWeb June 19, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/OCC/AEP_ruling/prweb2553274.htm

Frontier, Verizon Telephone Merger Needs Scrutiny, Local Public Hearings

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 07:00:00 GMT

A proposed merger of Frontier Communication Corporation and Verizon Communications, Inc. that could affect 500,000 Ohioans' residential landline service requires scrutiny before being authorized in Ohio. The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) said today consumer input, including public hearings, and a close examination by state regulators is necessary.

(PRWeb June 11, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/Verizon_Frontier/Telephone_Merger/prweb2521384.htm

Nation's Utility Consumer Advocates: Consumers Need a Break on Universal Service Charges

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Struggling with a national recession, consumers should not have to pay a proposed record-high assessment on the interstate portions of their telephone bills. Consumers need a break, the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA) told the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today.

(PRWeb June 10, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/NASUCA/FCC/prweb2516554.htm

Ohio Consumers' Counsel: Auction Brings Lower Rates to FirstEnergy Customers

Thu, 14 May 2009 22:15:00 GMT

An auction to serve electricity to FirstEnergy's Ohio customers means rates should fall below current prices beginning in June, the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) said today.

(PRWeb May 14, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/OCC_FirstEnergy/Ohio_Electricity/prweb2426584.htm

Consumer Advocates Request Electric Reliability Workshops

Fri, 01 May 2009 21:10:00 GMT

In a continuing effort focused on electric service reliability in Ohio, consumer advocates today asked that a workshop be held on service provided by Ohio's investor-owned electric utilities. Holding a workshop is among the actions the PUCO can take to examine specific topics, including requirements stated in Ohio's new electric law.

(PRWeb May 01, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/electric_service/reliability_workshop/prweb2383784.htm

Consumers' Counsel Requests PUCO to Reconsider Increases to AEP Rates, Asks Supreme Court of Ohio to Halt Retroactive Rates

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:15:44 GMT

In two actions today, the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) will ask the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to reconsider a decision that is imposing a decade of rate increases on residential customers of American Electric Power's (AEP) Ohio utilities, and ask the Supreme Court of Ohio to block AEP from collecting the retroactive portion of the rate increase currently being charged to customers.

(PRWeb April 17, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/04/prweb2335864.htm

Nation's Utility Consumer Advocates Make Stimulus Spending Recommendations

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:30:00 GMT

Areas that lack broadband availability should receive first priority in allocating funding under broadband investment provisions of Congress' economic stimulus package, the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA) announced today.

(PRWeb April 13, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/NASUCA/Telecom/prweb2321044.htm

Ohio Consumers' Counsel Requests Freeze On Retroactive AEP Rates To Be Collected From Customers

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:15:00 GMT

Customers should not have to pay higher electric rates retroactive to the beginning of 2009, according to the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC).

(PRWeb March 25, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/OCC/AEP_Rates/prweb2266154.htm

Report: Additional Policies Can Help Ohio Exceed Energy Efficiency Standard, Save $3.3 Billion Annually by 2025

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:23:24 GMT

An energy efficiency plan laid out by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) will help Ohio meet and exceed standards in the state's electric energy law by 2025. The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) has advocated over the last five years increasing the utilization of energy efficiency improvements that would help stabilize consumers' utility bills.

(PRWeb March 25, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/OCC/energy_efficiency/prweb2265794.htm

Ohio Consumers' Counsel: AEP Customers to Pay for Rate Increase Nearly a Decade

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 21:56:54 GMT

At this time, it is still difficult for the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) to determine the full impact of the rate increase on American Electric Power (AEP) residential consumers.

(PRWeb March 18, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/American_Electric_Power/Ohio_Consumer_Advocate/prweb2247704.htm

Nation’s Consumer Utility Advocates Call for Major Broadband Infrastructure Investment

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:24:29 GMT

Congress should establish a $25 to $50 billion Federal Broadband Investment Fund to expand the deployment of next generation broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas throughout the country and increase subscription to services supported by broadband, announced the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA). The fund would provide grants to individual states according to demonstrated need.

(PRWeb January 22, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/01/prweb1876384.htm

OCC: FirstEnergy Not Allowed to Collect Billions in Future Costs, Generation Rates Reduced

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:10:00 GMT

The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) is pleased that the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) agreed with many of its arguments related to generation rates, deferrals and distribution rates when issuing its decision on FirstEnergy’s electric security plan today. (Reference No. O8-0935-EL-SSO)

(PRWeb December 22, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1777584.htm

Ohio Consumers' Counsel: Duke Energy Residential Customers Will See Lower Electric Rates

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:27:33 GMT

A decision to modify an agreement signed by the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), Duke Energy and others by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has left the residential utility advocate with mixed reactions. While today's decision is good news for Duke Energy's residential customers and will lower rates in 2009, other issues may hamper energy efficiency and aggregation efforts.

(PRWeb December 19, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/occ_ohio_electricity/rate_decrease/prweb1768144.htm

Ohio Consumer Partnership Calls for Investigation of Electric Utilities' Service Reliability

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:18:11 GMT

In a request filed today, a newly-formed partnership of consumer groups requested that the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) investigate each of Ohio's investor-owned electric utilities, American Electric Power (AEP), Dayton Power & Light, Duke Energy and FirstEnergy, to determine whether they are doing enough to limit the breadth and depth of power outages in their respective regions.

(PRWeb December 15, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/Ohio_Consumers/Reliable_Electricity/prweb1755164.htm

Ohio Consumers' Counsel: AEP Rate Increase Includes Over $1 Billion in Unneeded Costs

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:45:00 GMT

The annual rate increases American Electric Power (AEP) has proposed for its three-year electric security plan are not justified and should be reduced by more than $1 billion, the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) said today in testimony filed with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).

(PRWeb November 03, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/occ_ohio_electricity/rate_increase_puco/prweb1556994.htm

Customers Could Overpay By $4.3 Billion If FirstEnergy Plan Is Approved

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:02:55 GMT

FirstEnergy has highly inflated the projected costs of its electric security plan which, if approved, would result in customers overpaying the company by $4.3 billion, said experts from the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) in testimony filed later today. FirstEnergy also should improve its reliability and do more to develop energy efficiency and demand side management programs for its residential customers.

(PRWeb September 29, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/Ohio_Consumers_Counsel/OCC/prweb1402674.htm

Consumer Alert: Review Telephone Bills for Unfamiliar Charges

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:22:43 GMT

Consumers are encouraged to examine their local telephone bills to find out if they are paying for products or services they never intended to purchase, the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) said today.

(PRWeb August 28, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/08/prweb1260394.htm

Ohio Consumers’ Counsel Reacts to Potential Rate Increases in Proposed Electric Security Plans

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:10:56 GMT

The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC), the residential utility consumer advocate, said today it will be carefully reviewing each utility’s Electric Security Plan and is concerned about any rate increases for residential consumers.

(PRWeb July 31, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/07/prweb1167384.htm

OCC: Consumers’ Electric Rates in Hands of PUCO after Governor Strickland Signs Energy Policy Legislation

Thu, 01 May 2008 19:24:57 GMT

Today, Governor Ted Strickland signed into law Senate Bill 221, Ohio’s energy policy legislation. The signing of this legislation puts the future of residential customers’ electric rates in the hands of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).

(PRWeb May 01, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/Ohio_Energy_Policy/OCC_Electric_Rates/prweb910874.htm

Ohio Consumers’ Counsel Reacts to Supreme Court Decision on AEP’s Proposed IGCC Plant

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:37:13 GMT

The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) today praised the decision by the Ohio Supreme Court that the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) must re-evaluate its decision that would allow American Electric Power (AEP) to collect costs before a proposed Integrated Gas Combined Cycle (IGCC) power plant is constructed.

(PRWeb March 14, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/OCC/Utilities/prweb773844.htm

Nation's State Utility Consumer Advocates Call for Making Do-Not-Call Registry Permanent

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:35:34 GMT

State advocates for telephone consumers have called for the national Do-Not-Call registry to be a permanent list.

(PRWeb January 14, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/01/prweb624081.htm

Ohio Consumers’ Counsel Opposes FirstEnergy Distribution Rate Increases; Many Customers’ Rates Should go Down

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 18:57:04 GMT

A proposed distribution rate increase for FirstEnergy’s residential customers is unreasonable, the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) says in extensive testimony to be filed today at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).

(PRWeb January 10, 2008)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/01/prweb616561.htm

Ohio ConsumersÂ Counsel Reacts To Ban On Winter Disconnections, Urges Customers To Call 1-877-PICKOCC For Assistance

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 20:17:43 GMT

OhioÂs winter moratorium announced today is welcome news for residential consumers, the Office of the Ohio ConsumersÂ Counsel (OCC) said.

(PRWeb December 19, 2007)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/12/prweb586692.htm