RecoverIR™ Blog
Discussion of Discovery & Recovery of Lost Energy
What will Happen to Natural Gas Prices in Ohio when the OCC's Budget is Cut in Half
Published by R. G. Lucas in News • 3/15/2011 10:12:25 PM
You be the Judge!
On March 15, 2011 the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) reported a 50% cut in agency budget for the next fiscal biennium (a period of two years). The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) is a statewide agency created by law in 1976 to represent the interests of Ohio's 4.5 million residential customers in matters relating to their public utility services – electric, natural gas, telephone and water.
Over the last biennium, the OCC's advocacy has provided customers with approximately $54.5 MILLION in direct financial savings; and approximately $1.9 BILLION in financial savings due to our work other partner organizations where the OCC took a lead role. This is money that stays in the pocketbooks of Ohioans, which helps to grow Ohio's economy. Since being created, the OCC has saved Ohio's residential utility customers more than $10 billion.
While the PUCO works to balance the interests of all stakeholders, only the OCC advocates exclusively on behalf of the customers who pay the utility bills. The OCC's efforts not only protect residential customers, but also contribute to making Ohio a more business-friendly state.
Without a well-funded, strong consumer advocate group, who will protect the rights of the bill paying electric and natural gas customers who end up paying for the stolen natural gas and stolen electricity? The utilities? The independent electricity providers? The independent natural gas suppliers?
Someone has to pay for the utility free loaders, just like society must pay for healthcare free loaders. Who gets the bill? Who should get the bill for the free loaders? Should we just overlook the stolen utilities stolen by the less fortunate?
What do you think? Please tell us who should be responsible and what should be done.
On March 15, 2011 the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) reported a 50% cut in agency budget for the next fiscal biennium (a period of two years). The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) is a statewide agency created by law in 1976 to represent the interests of Ohio's 4.5 million residential customers in matters relating to their public utility services – electric, natural gas, telephone and water.
Over the last biennium, the OCC's advocacy has provided customers with approximately $54.5 MILLION in direct financial savings; and approximately $1.9 BILLION in financial savings due to our work other partner organizations where the OCC took a lead role. This is money that stays in the pocketbooks of Ohioans, which helps to grow Ohio's economy. Since being created, the OCC has saved Ohio's residential utility customers more than $10 billion.
While the PUCO works to balance the interests of all stakeholders, only the OCC advocates exclusively on behalf of the customers who pay the utility bills. The OCC's efforts not only protect residential customers, but also contribute to making Ohio a more business-friendly state.
Without a well-funded, strong consumer advocate group, who will protect the rights of the bill paying electric and natural gas customers who end up paying for the stolen natural gas and stolen electricity? The utilities? The independent electricity providers? The independent natural gas suppliers?
Someone has to pay for the utility free loaders, just like society must pay for healthcare free loaders. Who gets the bill? Who should get the bill for the free loaders? Should we just overlook the stolen utilities stolen by the less fortunate?
What do you think? Please tell us who should be responsible and what should be done.
Natural Gas Fires Cost Cities a Lot More than the Cost of Gas
Published by From "The Morning Call" in News • 2/16/2011 10:12:04 PM
"The massive emergency response to last week's deadly natural gas explosion in Allentown cost nearly $61,000, according to city figures released Wednesday, though the true financial toll of the blast may not be known for some time.
Mayor Ed Pawlowski said he met with UGI Utilities and the company paid $50,000 toward the city's costs. UGI spokesman David Beard said the company will consider paying more as the city compiles a more complete list of expenses.
Nearly half of the cost comes out of the fire department, which spent an estimated $25,341 battling the gas-fueled blaze throughout the night of Feb 9-10. Fire Chief Robert Scheirer said 30 men were on duty and an additional 20 men were hired to help. In all, 55 Allentown fire personnel worked the scene" (By Christopher Baxter, OF THE MORNING CALL Allentown, PA)
Mayor Ed Pawlowski said he met with UGI Utilities and the company paid $50,000 toward the city's costs. UGI spokesman David Beard said the company will consider paying more as the city compiles a more complete list of expenses.
Nearly half of the cost comes out of the fire department, which spent an estimated $25,341 battling the gas-fueled blaze throughout the night of Feb 9-10. Fire Chief Robert Scheirer said 30 men were on duty and an additional 20 men were hired to help. In all, 55 Allentown fire personnel worked the scene" (By Christopher Baxter, OF THE MORNING CALL Allentown, PA)
EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule will Only be Delayed -- Not Canceled
Published by R. G. Lucas in News • 1/31/2011 1:41:07 PM
While some natural gas local distribution companies (LDC's) might be hoping the reporting of certain data elements required under the Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Rule (75 FR 81350) will go away, our government will not be able to regulate emissions with measurements and estimates.
General Electric Appears to Be Positioning to Support the SmartGrids
Published by News Break in News • 1/12/2011 11:29:23 AM
How long will it be before GE pushes harder to support the SmartGrids and Smart Meters?
Americans stealing electricity as power rates rise, money dries up, and families struggle to make ends meet
Published by USA Today examined a growing, dangerous trend: in News • 1/10/2011 8:07:30 PM
USA Today examined a growing, dangerous trend: Americans stealing electricity as power rates rise, money dries up, and families struggle to make ends meet. Wrote the newspaper: “They’re using a wide array of tactics. Some run wires from utility lines directly into a circuit-breaker panel, bypassing the electric meter. Others attach cables on either side of a meter, swipe meters from vacant houses when theirs are removed or tamper with meters to lower their electric bills.”
Recent posts
Does a Big DOE Loan Guarantee Lower Investor/Owner Solar Investment Risk?Landlord charged with tapping UGI lines, stealing gas
What will Happen to Natural Gas Prices in Ohio when the OCC's Budget is Cut in Half
Two Metrics to Monitor the President's Weatherization Assistance Program Waste
Are the Bill Paying Electricity and Natural Gas Residential Customers in Pennsylvania being Cheated?
All the posts...