Ohio Consumers' Counsel

The Office of the Ohio Consumers Counsel (OCC) is the statewide legal representative for Ohios residential consumers in matters related to their investor-owned electric, natural gas, telephone, and water services. Led by Consumers Counsel Bruce Weston , the agency advocates for consumers in proceedings before the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio... (PUCO) , federal regulatory agencies, appellate courts, and the Ohio General Assembly . The agency also monitors public utilities compliance with regulatory standards for consumer protection. The OCC also educates consumers about utility issues that affect their bills and quality of service. The Consumers Counsel is selected by a nine-member, bipartisan governing board representing family farmers, organized labor, and residential consumers. Each governing board member is appointed by the Ohio Attorney General. The OCC has approximately 35 employees and an operating budget of $5.54 million. Since the agencys inception in 1976, the agency has helped to save Ohio utility customers billions of dollars in avoided utility charges, participated to create payment assistance programs for low-income customers, and worked to safeguard consumer protections. The agencys staff has educated thousands of utility customers about choices available to them in a changing industry and ways to save money on their utility bills. The OCCs organizational structure is as follows: The Analytical Services Department protects residential consumers by conducting technical analysis of utility operations in rate filings and other regulatory proceedings. This work includes accounting, economics, and financial analysis. The Department also monitors utility company compliance with state statutes, regulations, and company policies. The Legal Department represents Ohios residential consumers in administrative proceedings before the PUCO, federal regulatory agencies, and appellate courts. The legal staffs advocacy includes both negotiating for settlements and litigating in hearings, to obtain outcomes ...Read More