The Robert F. Manifold Award is the highest honor of the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates, recognizing a lifetime of public service. It was awarded to Bruce Weston for "Dedication and Meritorious Service to the People of Ohio and to NASUCA."
Dominion Energy is asking the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) for a 30% hike in what it charges consumers for natural gas distribution service. The increase, if approved, will cost a typical residential consumer more than $100 a year, beginning this year. But that’s not all. The utility is also seeking approval to add extra fixed monthly charges that would start at $8.78 this year and gradually rise to $29.69 per month by 2032. Fixed charges are billed to you before you use any natural gas and can’t be reduced by conserving gas.
The Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), advocating for residential customers, argues this increase is excessive. We believe it unreasonably burdens Dominion customers who are already grappling with inflation and high energy prices.
OCC continues to advocate for affordable and safe natural gas service for Dominion’s nearly 1.2 million residential consumers as this case progresses.
But we need your help.
Let the PUCO know what you think about the rate increase. Voice your concerns to the PUCO, who will ultimately decide how much Dominion can charge consumers.
Your input makes a difference.
IN-PERSON LOCAL PUBLIC HEARINGS:
In-person local public hearings have not yet been announced. We will update this consumer alert, the media and through social media with dates and times of local public hearings when they are announced by the PUCO. Click for OCC tips on how to make your voice heard at local public hearings: https://bit.ly/occ-make-your-voice-heard.
Virtual Public Hearing Requested
To provide consumers with an additional opportunity to be heard on Dominion’s rate increase, OCC and other consumer parties have asked the PUCO for a virtual public hearing. Dominion opposed our request. The PUCO has yet to rule on it. Jobs, mobility issues, childcare, transportation limitations and other everyday concerns may make it difficult for consumers to attend in-person local public hearings on Dominion’s rate increase proposal. A virtual hearing would empower consumers to participate actively by offering testimony before a PUCO Commissioner through their phone or computer, regardless of location.
COMMENTING ONLINE THROUGH THE PUCO WEBSITE:
Click on “File a Public Comment” at https://bit.ly/dominion-rate-case-23
SENDING A LETTER BY MAIL:
Send a letter referencing Dominion Energy and PUCO Case 23-894 to:
Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
180 E. Broad St., 11th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
The Consumers’ Counsel has filed a Motion to Intervene in the case. Here is a link: https://bit.ly/occ-mti-dominion-23
Here is a link to the PUCO docket with all the filings from the participants in the case: https://bit.ly/dominion-rate-case-23
Call or e-mail the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, your residential utility consumer advocate, at 1-877-742-5622 or occ@occ.ohio.gov.
To download: Click the folder with a down arrow icon. To print: Click the printer icon in the top right of the display.
If you need multiple copies for an organization or group, please contact a member of our outreach team.