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."
Duke is asking the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) for a $49 million annual rate hike. It would be a 10% increase on monthly natural gas bills for distribution service (pipelines, etc.).
Also, Duke is seeking higher monthly fixed charges as compared with usage-based charges. Duke wants to charge you $43 monthly instead of the current $31. And in a related case, Duke is asking for additional monthly charges for capital projects, that can increase to as much as $28 a month by the end of 2028. Fixed charges mean consumers could not lower their gas bills by reducing their usage.
Now is not the time for another Duke rate increase. Ohioans already are facing financial difficulties from soaring energy prices, inflation, and lingering impacts of the pandemic.
Technical experts at the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) are reviewing Duke’s proposal. We work for the protection of Ohio consumers. You too can get involved, by making your voice heard at the PUCO.
In-Person: Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at 6 p.m. – Mason Municipal Center, Fire Station 51 Community Room, 4420 Mason Montgomery Road, Mason.
Friday, March 10, 2023 at 12:30 p.m. – Cincinnati City Hall, Council Chambers, Room 300, 801 Plum St., Downtown Cincinnati.
Click for OCC tips on how to speak at local public hearings: http://bit.ly/how-to-testify.
Online: Click on “File a Public Comment” at https://bit.ly/duke-gas-docket
By Mail: Send a letter referencing Duke Energy Ohio and PUCO Case 22-507 to:
Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
180 E. Broad St., 11th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
The Consumers’ Counsel has filed objections to the PUCO Staff’s report on the rate increases. Here is a link for OCC’s objections to the PUCO Staff’s report: https://bit.ly/duke-gas-objections
Here is a link to the PUCO docket with all the filings from the participants in the rate case: https://bit.ly/duke-gas-docket
Call or e-mail the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, your advocate, at 1-877-742-5622 or occ@occ.ohio.gov.
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