Earlier this month, 49 motor carrier inspectors from across North America gathered in Columbus to compete in the North American Inspectors Championship.
Those 49 competitors spent the next few days training, preparing and networking before the real challenges began.
Read the latest News Bureau article from the PUCO to get an inside look about this one-of-a-kind event!
PUCO authorizes AES Ohio electric security plan
The PUCO has adopted a settlement agreement authorizing AES Ohio to implement its electric security plan (ESP). The ESP will be in effect for 3 years beginning Sept. 1, 2023.
“The settlement we approve today will serve to improve the service quality and reliability of the grid across AES Ohio’s service territory,” stated PUCO Chair Jenifer French. “Incentivizing off-peak electric vehicle charging, economic development opportunities and customer and community assistance programs are exciting opportunities for Ohio consumers.”
PUCO awards hazardous material training grants to 21 applicants
Earlier this month, the PUCO awarded $800,000 in hazardous training grants to 21 applicants.
Through the annual hazardous materials training grant program, educational institutions and local governments across Ohio are awarded grants for training emergency responders to best respond to incidents related to hazardous materials.
Money for these grants comes from fines paid by hazardous material carriers and shippers. Read the PUCO News Bureau article featuring past recipients to learn how organizations have used these grants.
The PUCO has assessed a $122,000 fine and ordered retail energy supplier SmartEnergy Holdings, LLC to issue credits to certain customers, and honor rebate incentives it promised customers when enrolling for service.
“Misleading and deceptive behavior by retail energy providers will not be tolerated in Ohio,” stated PUCO Chair Jenifer French.
The PUCO’s investigation began after multiple complaints to the PUCO call center during 2022. The investigation determined that SmartEnergy was providing customers misleading and deceptive information.
SmartEnergy will identify all overcharged customers and rerate their bills to the utility’s standard service offer at the time. SmartEnergy will also be limited to offering only fixed-rate contracts to customers for a 24 month period in addition to paying a $122,000 civil forfeiture to the State of Ohio.
Public hearings on FirstEnergy electricity security plan scheduled
Public hearings have been scheduled regarding FirstEnergy’s Ohio utilities’ application for an electric security plan. FirstEnergy operates its Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, Ohio Edison, and Toledo Edison distribution utilities across Ohio.
The local public hearings will be held as follows:
Sept. 7, 2023, 6:00 p.m. Cleveland, OH
Sept. 14, 2023, 6:00 p.m. Toledo, OH
Sept. 26, 2023, 4:30 p.m. Akron, OH
On April 5, 2023, FirstEnergy’s Ohio utilities filed an application for an electric security plan for the supply of “standard service offer” electric generation, and other related matters, for the period of June 1, 2024, through May 31, 2032. Standard service offer, sometimes known as a default rate, is the price for electric generation service for customers that do not participate in a government aggregation program or select a retail electric supplier on their own.
It's not too late! Eligible Ohioans can still apply for the Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program through September 30.
The Summer Crisis Program provides a one-time payment to eligible Ohioans to assist with electric bills, central air conditioning repairs, and air conditioning unit and/or fan purchases.
PUCO Office of the Federal Energy Advocate files comments at PJM
The PUCO's Office of the Federal Energy Advocate has filed comments with PJM regarding the Critical Issue Fast Path process to address resource adequacy and capacity market reform.
August 21 was National Senior Citizens Day! Unfortunately, utility scammers are increasingly targeting senior citizens to steal money or access their personal information.
On Senior Citizens Day, and every day, be aware of the signs of fraudulent activity:
Receive an instant email or text notification when your utility changes their generation rates or natural gas prices.
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Interested in joining our team? The PUCO employs engineers, lawyers, analysts, accountants, customer service representatives, human resource professionals, auditors and many more!
Positions are posted regularly to Careers.Ohio.gov. Use the filter to select "Public Utilities Commission" to see all open jobs.
