From the sound of it they were doing it to try to comply with government regulations... The blame includes but goes much deeper than First Energy. How it could even get to the point that it did without someone saying something from the government or other agencies is beyond me and disturbing.

There is precedence in the Postal System. If you get something in your mail box that you didn't order, you don't have to pay and it is considered a gift. This recently happened to me and the info. that accompanied the product stated so in the very fine print. Of course the larger print asked you to send in $12.95. Sorry, they loose. This little First Energy programs is all too much like socialism. They force you to take something you don't want or need, and then make you pay for it in the guise of changing personal behavior. Van Jones must have been in contact with someone at First Energy. I've already called First Energy's media office and complained and also emailed the investor's services web site at their parent company, Dominion Energy in Richmond, VA. I've been a stockholder in the company since 1987 and this policy is stupid. I informed them I would not pay their $.60 per month, nor would I pay a late fee on my bill if I didn't pay it. The next step should be a class action lawsuit. There seems to be no shortage of ambulance chasing attorney's in the Y'town area, like Betras and company, Girvellis, and all the rest. Maybe they'd like to do some pro-bono work on behalf of the residents of NE Ohio.

This plan is both stupid and frightening. How in the world can they calmly announce that they are going to give us something we didn't ask for and then over-charge for it??

What's next? Will a furnace company show up at my door someday and say "we're here to install your new energy-efficient furnace" and then charge me thousands of dollars?

Whoever allowed this idea to move forward without killing it should be shown the door.

Years ago, the credit card companies would send you unsolicited cards, and then begin charging you fees for them. The federal government put a stop to this practice - surely the same sort of logic would apply here?

I will deny them if they try to bring them to my residence.

Also, exclude 60 cents from your utility bill each month if this is not stopped.

Now come on they are only trying to help the POLAR BEARS,AL GORE or is it...... THEMSELVES to everyones hard earned money!

I am outraged over this audacious scheme by First Energy not only because of the obvious (forcing consumers to accept the bulbs, then charge an extremely inflated price for them), BUT because of the dangers of MERCURY from broken CFL bulbs, not to mention the inevitable build-up of MERCURY in landfills and its effects on the environment (soil, air, water supply, etc.). *EVERYONE: DO AN INTERNET SEARCH ABOUT THIS AND REALIZE THE POTENTIAL CATASTROPHE IN THE MAKING!

FURTHERMORE, I DO NOT WANT THESE MERCURY-FILLED BULBS IN MY HOUSE for reasons other than safety issues. The light emitted from CFL bulbs is cold, bright and headache-inducing, unlike the warm glow emitted by incandescent bulbs. They don't work with dimmer switches. And what about chandeliers and other fixtures which feature decorative exposed bulbs? All in all, FIRST ENERGY'S SCHEME SUCKS!!!

I bought my twisty bulbs at a "Dollar Store", then I realized that when they burn out, finding a place to dispose of them is non-existent. Mercury does not disintegrate like food substances, or clothing ( if made of cotton or hemp).

Like the pill pushing physicians. Next thing you know they will be standing on street corners ringing bells next to a yellow pot selling illegal drugs (no taxes). All they need is a bank to launder their dirty money.

Interestingly enough, I hear there is a firm who is very close to coming to market with a high-effieciency irredescent light bulb (the old ones). It simply lines the inside of the bulb to trap the heat with creates much greater effeiciency. They will be more expensive then the old versions, but should be much better on the electric bill.

What is the difference between this program and racketeering? This has RICO all over it. There are multiple people and agencies involved in this conspiracy. Let's see what happens. Probably nothing because the government may be involved as well. When they do it, they try to convince you it is for your protection, safety, or a multitude of other scams they are running. Microchips will gradually be implanted on the pretense to help you.

It is kinda ahrd to bleive no one in Coulmbus knew about this. they jsut figured no one would rais hell abouit it. When they did they did a about face to please poeple and act like they had no part in it.

The response I got from PUCO;

Thank you for contacting the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) regarding FirstEnergy's compact fluorescent light bulb program. The PUCO has received a large volume of calls and emails from customers like you, and I appreciate the opportunity to answer your questions.

On October 7, I received a letter from Gov. Ted Strickland asking that the PUCO postpone the light bulb program until such time as we can address questions raised by the governor, members of the Ohio General Assembly and FirstEnergy customers related to program details and costs. As a result, I have asked FirstEnergy to delay the start of the program until the PUCO can thoroughly assess the costs associated with it.

The PUCO scheduled oral arguments for October 28, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. to provide parties to the case an opportunity to present information about the light bulb program to the five PUCO commissioners. The meeting will be webcast live on the PUCO Web site at www.PUCO.ohio.gov .

The PUCO approved the light bulb program in September following agreement among the company and other organizations including the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel, your residential utility advocate. The program is part of FirstEnergy's effort to meet the ambitious electricity conservation goals included in Ohio's new energy law. By using less electricity, consumers can avoid having to pay higher energy costs in the future.

Under the program, FirstEnergy plans to provide each of its residential customers with two 23 watt, 10,000 hour compact fluorescent light bulbs. The high-quality ENERGYSTAR bulbs that the company is using for this program typically sell for around $5 each at area stores. On average, customers who install both bulbs provided by FirstEnergy will reduce their annual electricity consumption by about 160 kilowatt hours, saving approximately $10 each year.

Although the PUCO allowed FirstEnergy to implement the light bulb program, it did not approve any charges to appear on monthly bills. Reports in the media placed the cost to customers at sixty cents per month for three years, which equates to $21.60 over the life of the program. The PUCO did not approve these additional dollars nor did it receive a request from FirstEnergy to do so. It is also important to note that the PUCO approved the light bulb program for 2009 only.

Again, thank you for the chance to respond to your concerns. If you have additional utility-related concerns, please visit our Web site at www.PUCO.ohio.gov or contact us at (800) 686-PUCO (7826).

Sincerely,

Alan R. Schriber
Chairman

Response from PUCO: a) " By using less electricity, consumers can avoid having to pay higher energy costs in the future." Not if First Energy is allowed to recoup the cost of engery not used. b)"..typically sell for around $5 each at area stores." This was a bulk purchase of 3.75 million bulbs. Present the invoice from mfg/distributor for examination and then look at who may have been enriched by non competitive bidding. The arrogance continues. We must be careful or we may have our trees 'trimmed' and charged by First Energy as well.

First Energy is still pushing this issue because one of their brilliant executives purchased 3.75 million bulbs a while back to sell to customers and employees. The plan was a huge flop, so they are trying to use this ploy to unload the bulbs. Problem is, consumers do not go out of their way to buy these expensive bulbs and now Walmart is selling them for half the price that First Energy is trying to sell them for.