 PUCO issues winter heating season
reconnection for 2014–2015
COLUMBUS, OHIO (Sept. 10, 2014) – The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) today ordered
Ohio electric and natural gas utilities to reconnect or maintain service for
customers who have been disconnected or are facing disconnection. Last winter
heating season, more than 274,000 Ohio utility customers utilized the PUCO’s
winter reconnect program.
Under
the program, customers who are currently disconnected or are facing disconnection
can have their service restored or maintained if they pay the amount owed or
$175, whichever is less, plus a service reconnection fee of no more than $36.
If the company’s approved tariff reconnection charge is greater than $36, the
balance of the reconnection charge may be billed to the customer the following
month. Customers may use the program once during the upcoming winter heating
season between Oct. 20, 2014 and April 15, 2015.
There is no income eligibility
requirement, but customers are required to sign up for a payment plan to pay
any remaining past-due balance on their utility bill. Customers who are at or
below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines may apply for energy
assistance through the Home
Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) toward the $175 amount.
Income-eligible customers who wish to
re-enroll in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) Plus or Graduate PIPP
Plus programs are required to pay the remaining balance of any missed PIPP Plus
or Graduate PIPP Plus payments over $175 by the due date of their next
bill.
The winter reconnect program also
applies to customers seeking to establish new service. Customers requesting new
natural gas or electric service who have no outstanding balance with the
utility may establish new service by paying up to $175, rather than paying the
required security deposit. Customers who use the winter reconnect program to
establish new service may have the remaining balance of the required security
deposit added to their next month’s bill.
The winter reconnect program is only
available to customers of the PUCO-regulated electric and natural gas utilities
that serve approximately seven million residential customers across Ohio. The
Commission urges rural electric cooperatives and municipally owned utilities
that are not regulated by the PUCO to adopt similar programs.
There are several other state and
federal programs available to assist those who qualify. The PUCO suggests that
customers explore all options including PIPP Plus, HEAP and the Home
Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP). More information about these programs
and additional ways to save on home heating bills this winter is available at
Ohio’s Winter Heating Resource website www.winterheat.ohio.gov. Visitors to this site will also find information about
budget billing, energy choice and energy conservation.
Customers who have questions about the
PUCO winter heating season reconnect program may contact the PUCO at 1-800-686-PUCO
(7826). To access an electronic copy of today’s Commission order, visit the
PUCO’s website at www.PUCO.ohio.gov, click on the link to Docketing Information System and
enter the case number 14-1371-GE-UNC.
-30-
14-1371-GE-UNC
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) is the sole agency charged with regulating public utility service. The role of the PUCO is to assure all residential, business and industrial consumers have access to adequate, safe and reliable utility services at fair prices while facilitating an environment that provides competitive choices. Consumers with utility-related questions or concerns can call the PUCO Call Center at (800) 686-PUCO (7826) and speak with a representative.
For additional information, contact: Matt Schilling | (614) 466-7750
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