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2017 Case Activity 2017 Case Activity

Case Number Party Consumer Impact Case Number Party Consumer Impact Case Number Party Consumer Impact Case Number Party Consumer Impact
17-0219-GA-EXR, Dominion This case deals with a financial audit 14-1615-GA-AAM Columbia Gas The PUCO approved Columbia's application WC Docket No. The FCC is proposing rules that would
17-0319-GA-UEX, Energy Ohio and review of Dominion's miscellaneous of Ohio to establish a regulatory asset to defer up Telecommunications Cases at the 17-84 define the process for telephone companies
17-0419-GA-PIP charges to customers (Transportation to $15 million annually to increase pipeline Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to replace their copper facilities with
Migration Rider-Part B, Uncollectible safety expenditures. In August 2016, other technologies. The major concern for
Expense Rider, and Percentage of Income Columbia was given authority to defer up 17-1948-TP-UNC AT&T Ohio AT&T Ohio seeks to stop offering Lifeline consumers is that the services offered over
Payment Plan Rider). service to more than 10,000 consumers
to $25 million annually until December new technologies might not be as reliable
16-2430-GA-ATA Columbia Gas In Case No. 12-2637-GA-EXM Parties 2023, to fund Columbia’s Prevention in 118 of its exchanges. OCC intervened as wireline service has been through
of Ohio agreed in a Settlement to implement Technology Initiative. because many Ohioans could lose their the years. The FCC adopted rules that
billing improvements for energy marketers. Lifeline service if AT&T Ohio can stop provided adequate consumer protections
This case implemented new tariffs Combined Natural Gas/Electric Cases at the providing the service. AT&T Ohio has in 2015, but, the FCC proposed rescinding
which allow for customer prepayment of Public Utilities Commission of Ohio identified other telephone companies that some of those rules. Among the proposal
commodity expenses to marketers and provide Lifeline in those exchanges. But was to give consumers less notice that
allow new customers to immediately 17-2089-GE-COI Commission After the PUCO dismissed OCC's complaint the Federal Communications Commission copper facilities are being replaced and
enroll with a marketer of their choosing. Investigation in Case No. 15-1588, it ordered an audit has proposed eliminating federal Lifeline preempting state utility commission
OCC intervened but did not oppose the of Duke of Duke's disconnection practices and monetary support to telephone companies jurisdiction over copper replacement.
Application because consumers would Disconnect policies to determine whether Duke is that do not own the facilities on which Through NASUCA, OCC filed comments
have to affirmatively choose a marketer Practices violating PUCO rules. An Auditor (Northstar they provide service. If that happens, only and reply comments urging the FCC to
and would be charged the SCO rate while Consulting Group) was selected to perform one of the companies AT&T Ohio identified adopt rules that maintain the reliability of
being served by that marketer. the audit. A final audit report was filed in might still be in business, and it does not telephone service to consumers. The FCC
March 2018. Comments on the audit report provide service in all 118 exchanges.
16-2422-GA-ALT Columbia Gas This case deals with Columbia's request released its rules in November 2017. The
of Ohio to continue its Infrastructure Replacement are due in April 2018 and reply comments 16-2066-TP-ORD Commission OCC made recommendations, in rules give consumers shorter notice that
Program Rider and increase the maximum are due May 2018. OCC is participating in Review of comments filed with the PUCO, that would copper facilities will be replaced.
rate that it can charge consumers under this case because of its concerns that Duke’s Telephone Rules help consumers find a long-distance
the rider. Columbia, PUCO Staff, and others disconnection practices and policies harm - Carrier-to- company, but the PUCO rejected the
entered into a settlement. OCC opposed consumers. Carrier recommendations. Water Cases at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
the settlement arguing, among other 15-1588-GE-CSS OCC v. Duke Complaint on Disconnections -- OCC 14-1554-TP-ORD Commission This case reviewed the PUCO’s telephone 17-2193-WW-AEC Aqua Ohio Inc./ Aqua and Whirlpool entered into a contract
things, that the rate cap was unreasonably Energy Ohio, alleged that Duke's disconnection policies Rules Review rules. It also implemented changes in Whirlpool Corp. in which Whirlpool will receive a discount
high. The PUCO issued an Order in which it on the amount it pays for water service.
approved the settlement as proposed. Inc. and practices since 2011 have harmed Ohio law that established a process Customers of Aqua are likely to have to
consumers. After nearly two years, the for a telephone company to withdraw
16-2251-GA-UNC Brainard Gas This case involves the merger of Gas PUCO ruled that OCC had not stated customers’ basic local service. In comments fund the discount. OCC filed comments in
Corp., Northeast Natural, Inc. (the parent company of reasonable grounds for the complaint and and reply comments, OCC made the proceeding opposing the discount on
Ohio Gas Corp., Brainard, Northeast Ohio, Orwell, and dismissed it. suggestions to protect consumers in the behalf of residential consumers. The PUCO
Orwell Natural Spelman Pipeline) with FR Bison Merger event their telephone company withdraws has not issued a decision in this case.
Gas Company Sub, Inc. The PUCO approved the merger on 15-0298-GE-CSS Lykins vs. Duke Customer Complaint - Relatives of basic service. In an Order issued in April 16-0907-WW-AIR Aqua Ohio Aqua Ohio, Inc. asked the PUCO for a rate
and Spelman 6/21/2017 application subject to certain Energy-Ohio, deceased customers sought a PUCO ruling 2017, the PUCO accepted some of OCC’s increase for the water service it provides.
Pipeline conditions, which OCC and PUCO Staff Inc. that Duke wrongfully disconnected electric suggestions, but rejected others regarding Aqua and the PUCO Staff reached a
Holdings LLC supported. service in November 2011. In October
2017, the PUCO ruled that Duke had its rules for the low-income Lifeline settlement calling for a $4.2 million,
16-0206-GA-GCR, Brainard Gas, The PUCO ordered a financial audit of violated the PUCO's rules by disconnecting telephone program. or 6.9% rate increase. The OCC did not
16-0209-GA-GCR, Northeast the GCR. The audit report recommended the customers' electric service during the support or oppose the settlement. The
16-0212-GA-GCR Natural Gas, adjustments to the GCR as well as changes winter heating season without giving them total revenue increase to the residential
Orwell Natural to the accounting and selling practices of Cases with All Utilities at the consumers is $2.8 million. This represents
Gas the companies. A settlement was reached the additional 10-days’ notice required by Public Utilities Commission of Ohio a monthly increase between $2.61 and
between the companies and PUCO Staff the rules. 15-1594-AU-COI Commission The PUCO is investigating whether $3.38 per month for the average metered
that adopted the recommendations of the Ordered submetering companies should be treated
audit. OCC did not oppose the settlement Investigation as public utilities so that submetering consumers, and between $1.53 to $4.32
and the PUCO approved the settlement. per month for a flat rate consumer
consumers may have the same protections depending on the service area.
and quality of service afforded customers
of their local public utility under Ohio
law. In June 2017, the PUCO adopted
benchmarks for determining whether a
submeterer is operating as a public utility
and thus is subject to PUCO jurisdiction.

34 Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel Annual Report 2017 35