October is Energy Awareness Month!
🧛Energy vampires are lurking around every corner...
Energy vampires are appliances and equipment that suck up power even when they are turned off, such as computers, televisions and chargers. These creatures could account for as much as 23% of your energy bill. 😱
Protect yourself - find and slay these energy vampires inside your home. It's as simple as unplugging, using power strips with an off switch or activating power saving settings.
Special Reconnect Order now available
The Special Reconnect Order (SRO) is now in effect 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.
There is no income eligibility requirement to use the Special Reconnect Order. The SRO runs through April 18, 2025.
Watch a video from PUCO Chair French about the Special Reconnect Order.
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PUCO approves over $1 million for rail crossing upgrades
In October, the PUCO approved over $1 million for safety upgrades.
In Richland County, Ashland Railway will install circuitry upgrades at the S.R. 39 grade crossing in the city of Mansfield. The PUCO will provide $105,000 from the State Grade Crossing Protection Fund to complete the project.
In Scioto County, Norfolk Southern Railway (NSR) will install flashing lights and gates, cantilevers and curbing at the Hutchins Street grade crossing in the city of Portsmouth. Federal funds will pay $514,054 to complete the project.
In Williams County, NSR will install flashing lights and gates with a cantilever at the S.R. 2/E. High Street grade crossing in the city of Bryan. Federal funds will pay $620,712 to complete the project.
In Lucas County, NSR will install flashing lights and gates, and cantilevers at the Lagrange Street grade crossings in the city of Toledo.
In Auglaize County, RJ Corman Railroad Company will install flashing lights at the Columbia Street Rail Crossing by Oct. 2, 2025. Federal funds will pay $183,665 to complete the upgrades.
More information about the PUCO's rail grade crossing programs is available here.
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Clean Energy Innovator Fellows meet in NYC
PUCO’s Clean Energy Innovator Fellow, Jocee Schwass (top row, center), reconnected with other Fellows in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) program at the National Association of State Energy Officials' 2024 Annual Meeting.
The Fellows joined hundreds of clean energy and climate champions in New York City to learn how state energy officials plan to propel America’s clean energy infrastructure and economic opportunities.
More information about the Clean Energy Innovator program is available here.
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PUCO Commissioner Deters elected VP of OPSI
PUCO Commissioner Dennis Deters was unanimously elected as Vice President of the Organization of PJM States, Inc. (OPSI). OPSI is the inter-governmental organization of 14 utility regulatory agencies whose jurisdiction is in the service area of PJM Interconnection.
As Vice President, Commissioner Deters will assist the OPSI president in running meetings and outlining strategy. Commissioner Deters also serves as the chair of the Market Monitoring Advisory Committee.
More information about OPSI is available here.
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Federal comments filed
The PUCO's Office of the Federal Energy Advocate (FEA) filed comments before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission this month.
The comments are in response to a complaint filed by the Sierra Club and other entities regarding PJM Interconnection's capacity market auction rules.
Read the full comments 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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October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month!
Cyberattacks can target you or your utility services - it's more important than ever to be cybersecure.
Here are a few easy ways to stay safe online and avoid scams:
- Use strong passwords
- Turn on multi-factor authentication
- Recognize the signs of phishing and report it
- Update your software on a regular basis
If you believe you've been the victim of a utility scam, contact the PUCO.
Get updates when your rate changes
Receive an instant email or text notification when your utility changes their generation rates or natural gas prices.
Join the PUCO
 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.
View all open positions at Careers.Ohio.gov.
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