COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio consumer advocates are shaking their heads over a fee increase for people to get their heat back on when they’ve been disconnected.
Regulators recently raised the utility reconnection charge to a maximum of $36, up from the old $20.
Marty Berkowitz, spokesman for the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, says the extra $16 is a lot of money for households already struggling to pay their bills.
A spokeswoman for the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio says the regulators felt the higher fee more accurately reflects what it costs utilities to restore service.
The charge is part of a program overseen by the commission which allows customers to be reconnected one time during the cold weather months, provided they pay the fee and part of their unpaid bill.
Comments
Without regulations on the utility companies they basically have no accountability anymore. They can charge whatever the heck they choose to and we, the consumer are going to have to choose, do I put food on my table or do I have heat and electricity. Hmmmm........Wake up America! Our country is going to hell in a hand basket. And without Obamas, Czars not having to answer to anyone either, I wonder what is going to happen next.... grab the popcorn and sit and watch as it unfolds..... or get off your butts and hold your legislators responsible. Write to them, call them, fax them. Be proactive and let them know that your vote counts in the next election and if they don't start doing what is best for our country then they will not get your vote.