Strickland calls for restoration of all-electric home discount; PUCO to move to restore rates
Lead Summary
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Ohio Governor Ted Strickland has announced that the Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Alan Schriber informed his office that the PUCO will move to restore the all-electric homeowner rate discount at its commission meeting next week.
“Many Ohioans are still reeling from the impact of the global recession and I am concerned that Ohio’s all-electric homeowners are unable to absorb excessive rate increases due to the elimination of the discount that has, until recently, been in effect for decades.
“While First Energy was looking out for its own bottom line, the PUCO acknowledged this issue didn’t get the attention it deserved among other considerations and, until yesterday, the Consumers’ Counsel failed to stand up for these homeowners. I am deeply disappointed that the system failed Ohio’s all-electric homeowners.
“What happened here is completely contradictory to what we have been able to accomplish in Ohio by passing an electricity reform bill to keep electricity rates from exploding like they have in other states.
“Last week I called on the PUCO to fix this thing and I’ve made it clear that I believe First Energy should immediately restore all-electric homeowners to the rates they have been paying.
“I appreciate that Chairman Schriber has agreed to work to have First Energy reinstate the original rates in time for these homeowners’ next billing cycle. The next step is for all parties to work together to determine the long-term solution to this problem.”[[In-content Ad]]
“Many Ohioans are still reeling from the impact of the global recession and I am concerned that Ohio’s all-electric homeowners are unable to absorb excessive rate increases due to the elimination of the discount that has, until recently, been in effect for decades.
“While First Energy was looking out for its own bottom line, the PUCO acknowledged this issue didn’t get the attention it deserved among other considerations and, until yesterday, the Consumers’ Counsel failed to stand up for these homeowners. I am deeply disappointed that the system failed Ohio’s all-electric homeowners.
“What happened here is completely contradictory to what we have been able to accomplish in Ohio by passing an electricity reform bill to keep electricity rates from exploding like they have in other states.
“Last week I called on the PUCO to fix this thing and I’ve made it clear that I believe First Energy should immediately restore all-electric homeowners to the rates they have been paying.
“I appreciate that Chairman Schriber has agreed to work to have First Energy reinstate the original rates in time for these homeowners’ next billing cycle. The next step is for all parties to work together to determine the long-term solution to this problem.”[[In-content Ad]]