Ohio energy consumers now have the opportunity to shop for a competitive supplier of electricity and natural gas. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio’s innovative tool makes comparing prices, contract terms, and other essential details easy.
Local utilities still deliver energy over their poles and wires and will continue to respond to outages and other issues. This remains regulated by the PUCO.
What is the PUCO’s role in energy deregulation?
The PUCO is responsible for regulating providers of utility services in Ohio. This includes electricity and natural gas companies, local and long-distance telephone companies, water and wastewater companies, and railroads and trucking companies.
When navigating through various energy plans, consumers should carefully assess contract terms and Ohio PUCO Apples to Apples comparisons to select the most cost-effective and suitable option for their household.
A private firm may act as an electricity aggregator and purchase energy for a group of consumers, known as a buying group. This gives the aggregator bargaining power to get a better deal for its members on their generation rates. In some cases, local governments organize aggregation on behalf of their residents as “governmental aggregators” using an opt-in or opt-out format.
What is the PUCO’s role in aggregation?
The PUCO runs the statewide Apples to Apples energy comparison tool, which helps consumers compare offers from Ohio’s certified electricity and natural gas suppliers. However, the tool only includes residential rates, not business rates, which can make shopping more difficult for Ohio businesses.
The PUCO also certifies buying groups that bring together a large group of customers to buy their electricity or natural gas from one supplier. The PUCO has strict requirements for these aggregators to ensure they act in their members’ best interests. These groups can be anything from churches to professional organizations or even local governments like cities, townships, or counties.
What is the PUCO’s role in retail choice?
Millions of Ohio consumers can choose their electricity supplier thanks to energy deregulation. The PUCO created a website called “Apples to Apples” that helps consumers compare electric rates and plans.
PUCO also regulates aggregation, allowing city residents to shop for natural gas and receive lower prices and other benefits. The PUCO website features a tool that will enable consumers to see rates offered by aggregators.
The PUCO also regulates the PIPP Plus program, which offers subsidized energy services to low-income households. The PUCO website has in-depth information about general customer rights, including deposit requirements, payment arrangements, disconnecting service, reading your meter, and more.
What is the PUCO’s role in slamming?
Since energy market deregulation, millions of Ohioans have opted out of their local monopoly utility company to save money on their electric rates by choosing new providers and plans. The PUCO Apples to Apples website allows consumers to view and compare offers from PUCO-certified electricity suppliers in their area.
However, the website could do better in helping consumers find the right offer for them. It isn’t apparent and shows plan options higgledy-piggledy, leaving shoppers to slog through providers’ websites and compare offers themselves.
The PUCO also conducts compliance reviews of motor carriers to ensure they follow federal safety regulations. This is an important job that needs to be done well.
What is the PUCO’s role in energy efficiency?
Under Ohio’s energy deregulation, consumers can choose the company that supplies the electricity and natural gas that runs through their meters. The PUCO website offers an online Apples to Apples comparison tool to help Ohio consumers compare rates from energy suppliers.
However, the PUCO website does not include business energy rates, leaving shoppers to search for providers independently. When choosing a provider for your home or business, it is essential to take the time to find a competitive supplier with the correct rates and plans for you. They can help you perform fast and effective comparison shopping to secure the best possible rates, plan terms, and benefit programs.
What is the PUCO’s role in customer service?
The PUCO’s role in customer service includes monitoring the utility industry and providing consumers with valuable information and tools. It also balances energy supplier and consumer interests in Ohio’s deregulated energy market.
This program helps low-income households keep their electricity and natural gas service by providing an extended payment plan. This payment plan is based on a percentage of the household’s income, and if payments are made consistently, credits are applied to reduce the outstanding balance.
What is the PUCO’s role in meter reading?
As a consumer, it’s essential to be aware of what your options are. Choosing the right supplier for your electric and natural gas supply is not something you want to leave up to chance.
Thanks to energy deregulation, millions of Ohioans have the power to shop for new electricity suppliers and rates. The PUCO’s Apples to Apples website helps make the shopping process fast and easy.
The PUCO also regulates local natural gas companies, ensuring they follow design, construction, operation, and maintenance safety rules. It also investigates customer complaints against local natural gas companies. To report a problem, contact the PUCO consumer call center.
What is the PUCO’s role in customer complaints?
Since energy deregulation, millions of Ohioans can shop for new electricity and natural gas suppliers. Suppliers compete for your business, resulting in competitive prices and programs. PUCO has created an Apples to Apples comparison tool to make shopping fast and effective.
But a choice that affects a big financial commitment should never be left to chance. Some questionable suppliers use the PUCO site to lure customers with low rates but then jack up bills with unfair fees. Disputes like these are often resolved through the formal complaint process. PUCO staff acts as neutral arbiters.