 This month, See Tracks, Think Train® week helped educate Ohioans on the importance of staying safe near railroad crossings.
Need safety tips?
Watch PUCO Chair Jenifer French and Transportation Director Randall Schumacher share key tips on railroad crossing here.
More info in new report
In 2023, there were 77 train-vehicle collisions at public railroad crossings in Ohio, including 5 fatalities. Read the newly-released PUCO Rail Statistics Report for more details on these incidents and rail safety upgrades across the state.
Upgrade a crossing near you
Over the past 10 years, the PUCO has participated in the installation of lights and gates at more than 1,000 grade crossings across Ohio. Federal and state funding may be available to improve safety at rail grade crossings near you. Learn more about safety upgrades and how to apply for funds here.
PUCO awards $800,000 in hazardous materials training grants
This month, the PUCO awarded $800,000 in hazardous training grants to 27 applicants.
“Hazardous materials training grants will provide thousands of emergency response personnel with valuable training to adequately respond to emergencies across Ohio,” stated PUCO Chair Jenifer French.
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.
See the full list of recipients here.
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Special Reconnect Order issued for 2024-2025 heating season
The PUCO has issued its Special Reconnect Order (SRO) for the upcoming heating season. The SRO helps Ohioans to reconnect or maintain electric or natural gas service.
Any residential customer of a PUCO-regulated electric or natural gas company may take advantage of the provisions contained in the order once per winter heating season. Last winter heating season more than 214,000 Ohioans used the Special Reconnect Order.
“The PUCO’s special reconnect order helps those struggling stay connected to vital heating sources throughout the winter,” stated PUCO Chair Jenifer French.
There is no income eligibility requirement to use the Special Reconnect Order.
More details about the order are available here.
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PUCO authorizes AEP Ohio, Intel arrangement
The PUCO has authorized a rate agreement between AEP Ohio and Intel to support its semiconductor manufacturing operations in Licking County.
AEP Ohio will invest an estimated $95.1 million to construct a new electric substation facility to serve Intel with up to 500 megawatts of electric load. Intel will be required to demonstrate ongoing commitment to invest $20 billion over the term of the 20-year agreement.
The Commission highlighted in its order that the facility will result in 3,000 direct Intel jobs, 7,000 construction jobs over the course of the construction, and over 10,000 additional indirect and support jobs.
More information about the arrangement is available here.
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PUCO, Ohio State Highway Patrol collaborate to enhance commercial motor vehicle safety
The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Licensing and Commercial Standards Section, in partnership with the PUCO, recently joined forces to enforce state and federal laws pertaining to commercial motor vehicles on four major interstates, covering hundreds of miles of roadway in Ohio.
The high-visibility enforcement blitz focused on enforcing licensing and commercial standards across Interstate 70, Interstate 71, Interstate 75, and Interstate 80.
Troopers, enforcement inspectors, and inspectors from PUCO collectively issued 1,108 citations and conducted 2,014 inspections throughout the initiative. During that time, there were decreases in commercial vehicle-related crashes along each interstate, with reductions of up to 81% compared to 2023.
More information about this initiative is available here.
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OPSB approves Fountain Point Solar Energy project in Logan County
The Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) has authorized Fountain Point Solar Energy LLC to construct a 280 megawatt (MW) solar-powered electric generation facility in Bokescreek Township in Logan County.
The solar project must adhere to a set of commitments and requirements to minimize and mitigate potential impacts during the construction and operation of the facility.
Learn more about this project and other OPSB business from September here.
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Online CDL renewal now available
Ohioans may now be eligible to renew their CDL (commercial driver license) online through the Ohio BMV. The renewal process is easy and efficient, and can even be completed on a mobile device. One the application is approved, the CDL will be mailed.
Click here for more information on the online renewal process.
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FirstEnergy presents on storm response at Sept. 4 meeting
Representatives from FirstEnergy provided a presentation on its August 2024 storm response to the PUCO Commissioners during the September 4, 2024 meeting.
Watch the presentation in full here.
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September is National Preparedness Month
When emergencies strike, do you have a way to stay connected with your family and get information from your local officials?
Visit Ready.gov to learn what you should plan to do before something happens.
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Positions are posted regularly to Careers.Ohio.gov. Use the filter to select "Public Utilities Commission" to see all open jobs.
View all open positions at Careers.Ohio.gov.
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