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OCC Newsletter – Fall 2025 |
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Welcome to the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel’s (OCC) email newsletter! We think you’ll find the information below useful.
In This Issue: |
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The winter holidays can raise energy costs through higher heating costs, appliance demand, and lighting. Click “Learn More” for some helpful tips around the home. |
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As winter and the holidays approach, higher utility bills can strain family budgets. The good news is that simple changes around the home can help you save money without sacrificing comfort or cheer. |
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The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) issued its Special Reconnect Order (SRO). The SRO allows electric and natural gas customers of a PUCO-regulated utility to reconnect or avoid a disconnection of their service between Oct. 13, 2025, until April 15, 2026. There are no income restrictions, and it may be used one-time per utility for customers owing more than $175. |
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A successful OCC appeal at the Ohio Supreme Court is a win for AES Ohio consumers. It sets the stage for returning about $61 million—plus seven years of interest—to AES consumers. The Court agreed unanimously with OCC, saying under Ohio law the PUCO should not have allowed AES Ohio to keep the significantly excessive profits from 2018–2019. The Court sent the case back to the PUCO, which has opened a proceeding to implement the ruling to return the money to consumers.
Since the ruling, AES Ohio has suggested consumers should receive only $1.6 million. And PUCO Staff filed a utility-favoring analysis that would result in refunds far short of the original $61 million – a figure the PUCO itself calculated as the excessive profits.
OCC is urging the Commission to follow the Court’s ruling by returning the full amount of $82 million, which includes interest to make consumers whole. OCC will continue advocating for the full refund called for by the Court.
Have your say: File a public comment in Case No. 20-0680-EL-UNC. Click the button below to make your voice heard! |
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Saving Money from House Bill 15: As the holiday season approaches, thoughts often turn to gifts for loved ones and keeping homes cozy and warm. Fortunately, Ohio's newly enacted House Bill 15 delivers timely relief, reducing electric bills by eliminating costly coal plant subsidies and ending utility "electric security plans" that allowed unchecked rate hikes. By boosting transparency and competition, the bill could save Ohioans $500 million by 2030, lowering monthly costs while supporting energy-efficient households.
These changes arrive just in time to offset higher winter bills from festive lights and winter heating, with potential future savings of $10–$20 or more per bill. |
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Ohio now ranks among the nation’s top data center markets, with nearly 200 facilities statewide. Data centers have massive electricity needs that often require costly new transmission infrastructure.
Thanks in part to consumers who made their voices heard, the PUCO approved a settlement in AEP’s data-center case that protects consumers from paying for the considerable transmission costs caused by data centers. The settlement—reached by AEP, the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC), PUCO Staff, Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy, and others—creates a special tariff that helps ensure data centers pay for the transmission infrastructure costs they cause.
Tech giants like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Facebook challenged the tariff, with a settlement of their own that would have shifted costs they cause to residential consumers’ utility bills.
In September, the PUCO rejected efforts by the mega-companies to overturn the PUCO’s approval of the consumer-friendly settlement. The order followed months of negotiations, deliberation and advocacy.
OCC applauds the decision and will continue its advocacy to support affordability and shield consumers from costs they do not cause. |
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| OCC encourages you to make your voice heard at the PUCO. At a local public hearing, consumers can share their views. Those that testify will have their comments included as evidence in the case record that the PUCO must consider in ruling upon the utility’s request. Learn how to participate at https://www.occ.ohio.gov/factsheet/make-your-voice-heard-puco |
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Consumer AlertAEP Ohio has asked the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to raise rates for its 1.3 million residential consumers. If approved, the proposal would increase a typical residential consumer’s bill by about $4 a month or nearly $50 annually. |
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| Consumer AlertAqua Ohio has filed with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to increase its rates for water service for its nearly 47,000 of its customers. Some consumers’ increases would be extremely high, making water service unaffordable for many. |
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Consumer AlertAqua Ohio also has filed with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to increase its rates for wastewater (sewer) service for some of its customers. For many, this would come on top of an increase in water service costs. |
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| Consumer AlertSuburban Gas is proposing to increase what its 21,000 residential consumers pay for natural gas. This increase would cost a typical Suburban residential consumer using 6 mcf more than $84 extra per year. |
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Consumer AlertOhio Cumberland Gas Company is asking the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to more than double the fixed monthly charge it collects from residential consumers before any gas is even used. |
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| OCC is extremely busy with rate cases advocating for utility consumers. That means a lot of utilities are asking for more of your money. Consumers can add their voice to each case by filing a public comment. The Consumers’ Counsel is grateful to the consumers and local leaders who have made their voices heard in these cases. |
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AES Ohio Status: After lengthy negotiations, OCC signed a settlement that helps families keep the lights on and strengthens service. What’s in the deal: No $12/month fixed-charge increase; $1 million in shareholder-funded bill assistance; no reconnection fees. Special notice: AES has also opened a new multi-year rate case under procedures created by House Bill 15 (covering 2027 rates). Look for details on that case soon. Consumer Alert: https://www.occ.ohio.gov/factsheet/aes-ohio-rate-increase-24-1009-el-air Case Dockets: 24-1009-EL-AIR and 25-0958-EL-AIR |
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CenterPointStatus: Awaiting a decision by the five PUCO Commissioners. CenterPoint sought to raise the fixed monthly charge from $56.92 to $80.30 (+41%), a fee paid regardless of usage. OCC’s position: OCC did not join the settlement in the case. Affordability is a top priority, and higher fixed fees limit consumers’ ability to control bills by conserving natural gas. Consumer Alert: https://www.occ.ohio.gov/factsheet/centerpoint-rate-increase-24-0832-ga-air Case Docket: 24-0832-GA-AIR |
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Christi WaterStatus: Awaiting Commission decision. OCC pushed to identify the causes of massive leaks, including one at 7,500 gallons per day. Consumers have been paying for millions of gallons of water they did not use—about one-fourth of all the water Christi provides. The PUCO had been prepared to settle without answers. OCC is pressing for accountability before consumers are charged. Consumer Alert: https://www.occ.ohio.gov/factsheet/christi-water-rate-increase-24-0798-ww-air Case Docket: 24-0798-WW-AIR |
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Soaring energy prices and plummeting temperatures can make winter heating bills hard to pay. OCC offers fact sheets and a video about bill-payment assistance programs and disconnection protections for utility services. Visit our Assistance page for information on programs that can help you avoid disconnection, get reconnected, and find support. |
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