Ohio Consumers' Counsel /tags/ohio-consumers-counsel Ohio Consumers' Counsel en-US Copyright Tue, 14 Jan 2025 22:28:13 GMT Ohio consumer advocate says tech companies seeking utility deal on data centers are worth trillions /politics-government/2025-01-14/ohio-consumer-advocate-says-tech-companies-seeking-utility-deal-on-data-centers-are-worth-trillions Ohio Consumers' Counsel attorney Bill Michael's line of questioning on Tuesday suggested companies like Amazon, Meta and Microsoft can afford to pay their fair share, when it comes to purchasing electricity. Tue, 14 Jan 2025 22:28:13 GMT /politics-government/2025-01-14/ohio-consumer-advocate-says-tech-companies-seeking-utility-deal-on-data-centers-are-worth-trillions Renee Fox Ohio Consumers' Counsel pushes back on AES Ohio rate increase proposal /2024-05-20/ohio-consumers-counsel-pushes-back-on-aes-ohio-rate-increase-proposal The increase could mean AES Ohio electric customers have to foot a bill $40 higher a year. Mon, 20 May 2024 16:09:02 GMT /2024-05-20/ohio-consumers-counsel-pushes-back-on-aes-ohio-rate-increase-proposal Adriana Martinez-Smiley Proposed AEP Ohio rate increase draws criticism from consumer advocates /politics-government/2023-09-19/proposed-aep-ohio-rate-increase-draws-criticism-from-consumer-advocates Earlier this month, AEP Ohio announced plans for another rate increase that the company said will pay for reliability-focused improvements to the electric grid. Under the plan, rates will go up about $1.50 a month or an average annual increase of less than 1 percent. Tue, 19 Sep 2023 13:21:26 GMT /politics-government/2023-09-19/proposed-aep-ohio-rate-increase-draws-criticism-from-consumer-advocates Matthew Rand AEP wants regulators to lower reliability standards to allow for longer, more frequent outages /news/2022-10-14/aep-wants-state-regulators-to-lower-their-reliability-standards-to-allow-for-longer-more-frequent-outages But consumer advocates representing manufacturers and residential electric customers, and staff at a state regulatory agency are pushing back. Mon, 17 Oct 2022 10:42:46 GMT /news/2022-10-14/aep-wants-state-regulators-to-lower-their-reliability-standards-to-allow-for-longer-more-frequent-outages Renee Fox PUCO rejects changes to program that would ease reconnection costs during the cold months /politics-government/2022-10-06/puco-rejects-consumer-advocate-changes-to-program-easing-reconnection-during-the-cold-months Consumer advocates asked for changes to a program meant to keep homes warm even when people can’t pay. But the Ohio Public Utilities Commission denied those requests in their meeting Wednesday. Thu, 06 Oct 2022 10:30:58 GMT /politics-government/2022-10-06/puco-rejects-consumer-advocate-changes-to-program-easing-reconnection-during-the-cold-months Renee Fox Bill would give watchdog group a say on Ohio utility commission /politics-government/2022-08-15/bill-would-give-watchdog-group-a-say-on-ohio-utility-commission Two of Ohio's Republican House of Representatives are sponsoring the effort to reform how the state appoints regulators to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Mon, 15 Aug 2022 11:56:42 GMT /politics-government/2022-08-15/bill-would-give-watchdog-group-a-say-on-ohio-utility-commission Renee Fox Columbia Gas of Ohio proposes tripling its monthly fixed rate for natural gas /2022-06-03/columbia-gas-of-ohio-proposes-tripling-its-monthly-fixed-rate-for-natural-gas Columbia Gas of Ohio is asking the Ohio Public Utilities Commission to approve nearly tripling the flat, monthly distribution charge 1.4 million customers pay before the cost of natural gas usage is added to the bill. Fri, 03 Jun 2022 20:43:12 GMT /2022-06-03/columbia-gas-of-ohio-proposes-tripling-its-monthly-fixed-rate-for-natural-gas Renee Fox Text Messages Between Former FirstEnergy Execs Leads To Call For New Audit /news/2021-11-09/text-messages-between-former-firstenergy-execs-leads-to-call-for-new-audit The utility bosses talked about their companies' priorities and if they can get help from the then-chair of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Tue, 09 Nov 2021 11:41:22 GMT /news/2021-11-09/text-messages-between-former-firstenergy-execs-leads-to-call-for-new-audit Andy Chow FirstEnergy Deal With Feds Increases Calls For More Transparency /politics/2021-07-23/firstenergy-deal-with-feds-increases-calls-for-more-transparency FirstEnergy will pay a $230 million fine in a plea deal with federal prosecutors in the federal investigation into the $1.6 billion bailout for Ohio’s two nuclear energy plants. But some argue state leaders have not done enough to prevent back room dealing that can lead to scandals like this. Fri, 23 Jul 2021 10:50:16 GMT /politics/2021-07-23/firstenergy-deal-with-feds-increases-calls-for-more-transparency Jo Ingles Consumers' Counsel Wants Coal Plant Subsidies Repealed /politics/2021-05-13/consumers-counsel-wants-coal-plant-subsidies-repealed The state's consumer watchdog is calling for the repeal of coal plant subsidies, which were approved in the controversial nuclear bailout, HB6. A bill now at the center of an alleged bribery scheme. The Ohio Consumers' Counsel office says the coal plant subsidies mean ratepayers are bearing the cost of inefficient plants. Thu, 13 May 2021 10:56:01 GMT /politics/2021-05-13/consumers-counsel-wants-coal-plant-subsidies-repealed Andy Chow