All Electric Proposed Rate Case Plan

Dear CKAP Friends,



In my last email to you I spoke about the Public Hearing that I was planning to testify at regarding FirstEnergy’s (FE) Proposed Rate Case Plan (ESP3) that is currently being heard by the PUCO.  Yesterday, I received a call from the Ohio Consumer’s Counsel warning me that the proposed bill impacts that FE finally submitted reflect an expected bill increase of between 25% to 30% for all electric customers beginning in 2014. 



How can this happen???  While FE did not modify the credits they are giving us for being All Electric, what they are trying to do is raise the Distribution Rates for all customers, but it always hits the All Electric Customers the most because we use the most electricity, and such increases are based on a charge per kilowatt used.  Specifically, FE is asking for an additional $405 million in Distribution Costs (rider DCR). 



It is imperative that we all write and call into the PUCO and ask that these rate increases not be allowed.   As of Monday morning June 25th, the case is in the hands of the PUCO Commission and can be decided on at any time, so time is truly of the essence. Please, please take 5 minutes and submit your own personal comments about how you do not want such a rate increase to be passed and how it will negatively affect you as an All Electric Home Owner.  To file comments, use one of the methods below and be sure to request your comments be filed in the case for FirstEnergy’s new ESP3 or Case # 12-1230-EL-SSO:



·         Online via  https://www.puc.state.oh.us/secure/PicForm/index.cfm?intype=comment

·         By Fax (614) 752-8351

·         By Phone (800)-686-7826  8 am to 5pm



These rate increases will affect us regardless of who our electric supplier is (Duke, NOPEC, FirstEnergy Solutions) because the increase is planned on the Distribution side, the side we have no competitive control over.  Unlike the nightmare we all experienced back in Winter 2010, we have the chance now to fight against these price hikes BEFORE they affect our bill.  The PUCO has not yet made a decision on this case, and your comments NOW do have a chance to make a difference.  It is much easier to stop something before it happens/becomes law than it is to reverse something that has already been approved, so I urge you to please post contact the PUCO and make your voice heard no later than Friday June 29th (the earlier and more frequent the better). 





For those who like to know more details, I’ve attached two documents.  One is the OCC’S Press Release from yesterday where they are asking the PUCO to reject the charges.  The other document is the testimony I presented at the Public Hearing which gives a good, high level overview of what we don’t like about the ESP3.  Also, in case you missed it in today’s PlainDealer, Business Section front page, here is John Funk’s article:  http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2012/06/firstenergy_rate_plan_will_rai.html



Please take action before Friday June 29th. 



Sue Steigerwald, Founder

Citizens for Keeping the All Electric Promise (CKAP)

www.AllElectricHomes.info