Utility is asked to halt bulb program

PUCO gave the order after hearing from irate FirstEnergy customers.

By Marc Kovac

COLUMBUS — The head of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has called on FirstEnergy to halt a controversial plan to distribute energy-efficient light bulbs to customers and charge them over the next three years for the costs involved.

The move by Alan Schriber, commission chairman, came after his agency and Gov. Ted Strickland received high volumes of phone calls and e-mails from customers angry about the costs and methodology.

In a released statement, Schriber said: “I have asked FirstEnergy to postpone deployment of its compact fluorescent-light-bulb program until the commission can thoroughly assess the costs associated with this program. ... Although the PUCO allowed FirstEnergy to implement its program, we did not approve the charge that will appear on monthly bills as a result. ... The PUCO has not approved these additional dollars nor have we received a request by the company to do so.”

He added, “Until the PUCO has specific details regarding the program costs, FirstEnergy should not deploy its compact fluorescent-light-bulb program.”

In a statement released to the press, the company said: “At the request of PUCO Chairman Alan Schriber, FirstEnergy has agreed to further discuss with the commission its PUCO-approved program to provide compact fluorescent light bulbs to customers of its Ohio utilities — Ohio Edison, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company and Toledo Edison. We will work with the PUCO to respond to its questions and determine how best to proceed.”

In a letter to Schriber sent earlier in the day, Strickland wrote, “Ohioans are confused and angry and are looking for answers. First, the bulb program has been thrust upon them without their approval or prior knowledge. Second, it is my understanding that two bulbs will be provided at a cost in excess of $21. It is common knowledge that the efficient bulbs can be purchased for significantly less at popular retail outlets. Third, I am interested to know if there are any U.S. suppliers of these bulbs, or if FirstEnergy had considered the use of bulbs manufactured in the United States.”

FirstEnergy received approval from PUCO last month to move forward with the plan, providing 3.75 million compact fluorescent light bulbs to residential customers.

Those same customers would pay about 60 cents extra on their electric bills per month for the next three years to cover the costs, according to a company release. The company says the bulbs will save customers about $60 over a five- to seven-year period.

The plan was developed to meet state-mandated energy efficiencies, with utilities required to reduce energy usage by 22.2 percent by the end of 2025.

Bulbs would be mailed or hand-delivered to First Energy’s customers.

The Ohio Consumers Counsel and the Ohio Environmental Council both say there are more effective ways to help residential customers reduce their energy usage.