PUCO rep to meet with public

0

A representative of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) will be in Greenfield Thursday evening, Oct. 1, to discuss the services provided by the agency.

The program will begin at 7 p.m. in Greenfield council chambers, 300 Jefferson St.

PUCO representative Luka Papalko will discuss the ways PUCO works for the benefit of Ohio residents and answer questions from the public on such matters as electric and natural gas aggregation and other issues relating to utility bills and services.

“The public is invited to attend this meeting,” said Greenfield City Manager Ron Coffey. “We did this a year or two ago and had a nice turnout. Several questions were asked by residents, particularly on the aggregation issue, and those attending commented that it was very useful.”

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio affects every household in Ohio. That is because the PUCO regulates providers of all kinds of utility services, including electric and natural gas companies, local and long distance telephone companies, water and wastewater companies, and rail and trucking companies. The PUCO is charged with ensuring that Ohioans have access to adequate, safe, and reliable public utility services at a fair price, while also facilitating competitive utility choices within the state.

As a neutral arbiter between Ohio’s consumers and utilities, the PUCO works each and every day to find a working balance for the state’s utility structure by maintaining innovative, forward-focused regulation that helps to ensure that Ohio and its economy continue to succeed and grow.

The impact of the PUCO’s work can be seen throughout any Ohioan’s day. From the electricity used to make your morning cup of coffee to the natural gas being used to heat your home, it is the PUCO that carries the responsibility of ensuring that these utility services meet Ohio’s needs.

The PUCO staff consists of professional engineers, economists, attorneys, auditors, investigators, and highly knowledgeable industry experts who are dedicated to assisting the commission in meeting its goals and serving the public.

Not only does the PUCO help to ensure safe and reliable utility service for the rising needs of Ohioans, but it also encourages those consumers to become more engaged and better informed in utility related matters.

In 2014, more than 650 presentations were given to the public on matters ranging from electric and natural gas choice in Ohio to transportation safety. Presentations like these, as well as many others, are available to all Ohioans upon request and are provided by PUCO staff.

Additionally, PUCO staff, as well as commissioners, regularly give testimony before the Ohio General Assembly, U.S. Congress, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on behalf of Ohioans.

Ohioans can also stay engaged with the commission by contacting the PUCO Call Center at (800) 686-PUCO (7826). The center receives calls from tens of thousands of consumers each year. In fact, in 2014 the call center received 76,402 calls and initiated 13,421 investigations, saving Ohio consumers $683,701.

Article submitted by Greenfield City Manager Ron Coffey.

A PUCO representative will meet with the public on Oct. 1 in the council chambers on the first floor of the Greenfield City Building.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2015/09/web1_CityHall.jpgA PUCO representative will meet with the public on Oct. 1 in the council chambers on the first floor of the Greenfield City Building. Times-Gazette file photo
Oct. 1 meeting will be held in Greenfield council chambers

No posts to display