All about rail
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Pop quiz! Which state agency:
- Started as the Office of the Commissioner of Railroads and Telegraphs
- Conducted nearly 7,000 rail inspections last year
- Ordered over 60 safety upgrades to railroad crossings in 2021
If you guessed the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, you're right! The PUCO regulates parts of the railroad industry, including railroad crossings. Learn more about our role and how we've kept Ohioans safe for over 150 years in this month's News Bureau.
Rail Safety Week reminds Ohioans to be alert at rail crossings
The PUCO, along with the Ohio Rail Development Commission, observed Rail Safety Week from September 19th through 25th. The week is dedicated as a reminder to Ohioans to practice safety around all rail crossings.
Every three hours, a person or vehicle is hit by a train in the United States. Many crashes at railroad crossings occur because motorists fail to stop at the crossing, drive around the gates, or stop/stall on the tracks.
Learn more about rail safety week here.
Click here to watch a rail safety video message from PUCO Chair French.
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Settlement agreement approved for Aqua Ohio rates
This month, the PUCO approved a unanimous settlement agreement setting new rates for water and sewer service for Aqua Ohio.
The settlement agreement calls for Aqua Ohio to increase its annual revenues for water service by $5.178 million, which is a 7.9% increase over current revenues. Aqua will increase its annual revenues by $303,595 for sewer service, which is an 8.96% over current revenues. The average residential user will see a $3.04 - $4.01 increase in their monthly water bill, and a $0 - $4.97 increase in monthly sewer bills, depending on service territory.
The settlement also calls for Aqua Ohio to provide shareholder funding to its low-income water assistance program. Aqua will also make customer disconnection data and statistics publicly available on its website.
More information about the settlement and Aqua Ohio rates is available here.
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Public hearing on proposed Columbia Gas of Ohio rate increase scheduled
The PUCO has scheduled a public hearing to provide customers the chance to express their views on the applications of Columbia Gas of Ohio to increase their rates, charges and approval for an alternative rate plan. The local public hearing will take place in Toledo on October 14 at 2:30 p.m.
More information about the hearing and the rate case is available here.
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OPSB approves solar energy facility in Highland County
The Ohio Power Siting Board approved an application filed by Dodson Creek Solar, LLC to construct a solar‑powered electric generating facility in Highland County
The 117 megawatt (MW) Dodson Creek Solar facility will occupy 1,103 acres within a 1,429-acre project area in Dodson and Hamer townships in Highland County.Â
Read more about this facility and other OPSB business from September here.
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Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 every year. This month honors the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.Â
Visit National Hispanic Heritage Month and the Ohio Latino Affairs Commission for more information and resources.
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