May 19, 2010
PUCO slashes size of water rate hike
The president of the Huber Ridge Area Association said he's "satisfied but not ecstatic" about the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio decision to significantly cut the size of a requested Ohio American Water rate increase. The PUCO limited the rate increase from Ohio American Water to 7.1 percent - significantly less than the 27-percent increase the company originally asked for in June 2009. Huber Ridge is one of five central Ohio areas served by Ohio American Water.
May 5, 2010
PUCO authorizes new rates for Ohio American Water
In June 2009, Ohio American Water filed an application with the PUCO to increase the rates it charges for water and wastewater service. The company requested a 60 percent revenue increase phased in over four years through annual step increases. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) today authorized Ohio American Water Company to increase water and wastewater rates. With the approval of the new rates, the company will generate an additional $2.6 million annually, a 7.1 percent increase over current operating revenues.
Feb. 1, 2010
WOSU Radio: "Fight the Hike Ohio" and Ohio Consumers' Counsel Interview
Description: Ohio American Water’s request for a rate increase, with Ohio Consumers’ Counsel Janine Migden-Ostrander and Fight the Hike Ohio Co-chair Steve Kennedy. To listen to this interview, click the subject link above, scroll down on the WOSU Web site to "Episodes for 02.01.2010" then click the "play" arrow button.
Jan. 29, 2010
Seven Franklin Co. Townships Fight Water-Rate Hike
Excerpt: Could you afford to pay your water bill if were to climb 60-some percent over the next four years? The Ohio American Water Company wants to raise its rates that much, and the seven Franklin County townships it serves have joined forces to fight the hike.
Jan. 26, 2010
Residents Boiling over Water Rate Increases
Excerpt: More than 200 people gathered in Groveport last night to share gripes about bills and water quality at a public hearing on a water- and sewer-rate increase that's proposed by Ohio American Water
Jan. 26, 2010
Citizens Speak Out about Proposed OAW Water Rate Hike
Excerpt: Residents angry over poor water and budget-busting water bills flooded a public hearing with stories of debris-laden taps, appliances breaking down prematurely, and monthly bills pushing beyond $120. Facing a standing-room-only crowd of more than 220 citizens at Eastland Career Center on Jan. 25, attorney examiners from the Public Utilities Commission (PUCO) listened to nearly four hours of public testimony critical of the water services provided by Ohio American Water (OAW).
Jan. 21, 2010
Company Drops Request for Multiple Increases
Excerpt: Ohio American Water spokeswoman Mary Beth Johnson said the decision was made to drop the increases for 2011, 2012 and 2013 after a PUCO staff report regarding the request recommended approving only a one-time increase of between 5.85 percent and 7.27 percent and denying the additional increases.
Jan. 14, 2010
Residents Gain Small Victory in Fight Against OAW
Excerpt: "We've seen a lot of struggling customers," said Anthony Rodriguez, spokesman for OCC. "We were looking for any way that we can lower their rates." Rodriguez stressed the importance of ensuring OAW customers are only paying for their own water services.
Jan. 13, 2010
Consumers' Counsel Calls for Lower OAW Rates
Excerpt: The Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) filed recommendations with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) last week saying residential customers of Ohio American Water should see rate decreases rather than increases.
The recommendations were filed as part of the PUCO case in which Ohio American Water is seeking multi-level rate increases totaling 63 percent over four years for residential water and sewer customers, including those in the Huber Ridge subdivision of Blendon Township.
Jan. 6, 2010
Consumers Counsel: Water Company Should Cut Rates
Excerpt: On Tuesday, Jan. 4 the Office of the Ohio Consumers Counsel issued a press release stating it not only opposes rate increases proposed by the utility through 2013, but advocates a decrease of $7.3 million to existing expenses being billed to consumers. "Ohio American Water has asked to recover operating expenses above and beyond reasonable amounts from consumers without providing any additional benefits," said Consumers Counsel Janine Migden-Ostrander in the release.
Jan. 5, 2010
OCC: Rate Decrease Warranted for Residential Water Customers of Ohio American Water
Excerpt: Residential customers of Ohio American Water (OAW) would pay lower rates based on reductions sought by the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC). The consumer advocate yesterday filed testimony with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) asking to amend a proposed OAW rate increase.
Dec. 4, 2009
PUCO Staff Recommends Lower Rate Hike
Excerpt: Prairie Township Trustees say they are making headway when it comes to fighting Ohio American Water (OAW) and its proposed rate increase. Trustee Steve Kennedy announced at the Dec. 3 board of trustees meeting that a recent staff report issued by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) states that OAW is creating a financial burden for the customers it serves.
Dec. 2, 2009
PUCO Report Sides with Fight the Hike on Rate Increase
Excerpt: Opponents of Ohio American Water apparently have a new ally in their fight against water rate increases.The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio released a report Monday, Nov. 30 that recommends rate increases next year be cut from as high as 26 percent to between 4.3 and 7.3 percent, and to 3.6 to 5.3 percent for wastewater.
Dec. 1, 2009
Citizens Coalition Encouraged by PUCO Staff Report
Excerpt: Officials from Fight the Hike Ohio, a coalition of
citizens and civic leaders across the state opposing Ohio American Water’s proposed rate
increase, say they are encouraged by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) Staff
Report.
Dec. 1, 2009
Water Company Hears From PUCO: Whack Rate Hikes
Excerpt: A private water company that serves parts of several Franklin County townships has been given too much leeway to increase spending, according to a staff report issued Friday by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. The report says the company needs to rein in expenses because customers can't handle climbing rates.
Nov. 30, 2009
Proposed Water Bill Hike May be Lower
Excerpt: Ohio American Water customers might breathe a bit easier with a lower rates of increase for 2010 being recommended Monday. According to a staff report released, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio is suggesting a 5.9 percent to 7.3 percent water increase for 2010. A 3.6 percent to 5.3 percent increase was recommended for sewer services.
Nov. 17, 2009
Letter to the PUCO
The above link is a letter to the PUCO from four State representatives objecting to the Ohio American Water rate increase. This letter was filed Nov. 17 in the PUCO docket to the increase.
Nov. 14, 2009
Bill would have utilities share cost of research
Excerpt: Ohio American Water has raised rates three times since 2003, and expenses authorized by the state regulators accounted for about 0.45 percent of the increases, totaling $1.2 million. Customers complain that the company's rates are too high; the company says it is hampered by aging equipment and small economies of scale.
Nov. 9, 2009
American Water Revenue Up Due to Rate Increases
Excerpt: American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE: AWK), the largest investorowned U.S. water and wastewater utility company, today reported results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009. For the quarter, the company reported operating revenues of $680.0 million, a 1.2 percent increase of $7.8 million over the same period in 2008. Net income in the third quarter was $91.6 million, or $0.52 per basic and diluted common share, compared with $88.2 million or $0.55 per basic and diluted common share in the third quarter of 2008.
Oct. 27, 2009
Marion council decides to oppose water rate increase
Excerpt: The resolution objects to the rate increase requested of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. The increase would amount to a 23.57-percent raise in the Marion district, and would cost the typical residential customer an additional $8.72 per month.
Oct. 15, 2009
GM school board to support Fight the Hike
Excerpt: The Groveport Madison Board of Education passed a resolution to support Fight the Hike Ohio, a coalition of citizens and community leaders from 90 areas across the state fighting Ohio American Water's (OAW) proposed phased-in rate hike. If the PUCO fully grants OAW's rate hike request, in 2010, the average bill jumps 22.5 percent; rises 15.29 percent in 2011; goes up 4.48 percent in 2012; and ends the four year cycle by hopping another 4.64 percent in 2013.
Oct. 8, 2009
Prairie Township trustrees take Fight to attorney general
Excerpt: The seven Ohio townships involved in Fight the Hike have been holding weekly telephone conferences to address the plans for action against OAW rate increases.
The affected townships are Blendon, Madison, Norwich, Perry, Prairie, Sharon and Truro. The townships together decided to draft a letter to send to Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray.
Oct. 8, 2009
Water-company customers protest rate increase
Excerpt: Armed with 300 yard signs, 150 shirts and more than 500 signatures, township residents opposed to water-rate increases want to make themselves heard.
Oct. 7, 2009
Townships oppose water rate hikes
Excerpt: The company, which serves Worthington Hills as well as other Worthington-area communities, filed a request with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio in June seeking to increase rates for all customers over four years. The company is asking for a 27.36-percent increase in April 2010, a 23.34-percent increase in April 2011, a 6.86-percent increase in 2012 and a 5.73-percent increase in 2013.
Sept. 23, 2009
'Fight the Hike' forms to battle water rate increase
Excerpt: A 60 percent rate increase over four years was proposed by the water company in June. The company provides water for parts of seven Ohio townships in Franklin County. Instead of taking on the giant individually, the townships have bonded together for a new campaign called Fight the Hike Ohio.
Sept. 23, 2009
Hundreds sign water petitions
Excerpt: Hundreds of Madison Township residents came to the Madison Township Community Center Sept. 22 to sign petitions protesting what they believe are issues with poor water quality and high water bills.According to Groveport Madison Board of Education President and petition sponsor John Kershner, approximately 300 signatures were gathered on site with petitions for hundreds of more residents being circulated by community volunteers and organizers.
Sept. 22, 2009
Tiffin council objects to OAW water rate hikes
Excerpt: City Law Director Brent Howard said a group of Columbus area subdivisions led the way asking cities and towns to pass resolutions objecting to the rate increases. The matter is under review by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. The Ohio Consumers Council is representing Ohio residents in the matter before PUCO, Howard said.
Sept. 17, 2009
PT residents outraged over impending water rate hike
Excerpt: Ohio American would like to put a step rate increase in place over a four year period. According to Kennedy, in the first two years, utility rates would increase by 25 percent each year, in the third year there would be an eight percent increase and finally, a seven percent increase in the final year.
Sept. 17, 2009
"Fight the Hike Ohio" combats higher rates
Excerpt: “It’s just me in the house. Sometimes my two grandkids come to visit. We have to decide when we are going to flush (the toilet),” said long-time Blendon resident Delsa Evans. “If they raise the rate again I can’t pay it. I’m on a fixed income.”
Sept. 16, 2009
Consumer Alliance Fight The Hike Ohio Makes Waves Alleging Oppressive Water Rate Hikes --American Water Continues Excessive Water Rate Increases Across the Country
Excerpt: According to the consumer group Fight the Hike Ohio, Ohio is among a growing list of states nationwide in which American Water - Ohio American Water's parent company - is seeking frequent, exorbitant rate increases. The group claims American Water, majority-owned by foreign-based RWE, has been systematically raising rates for many of its customers in the 32 states in which it owns water companies.
Sept. 16, 2009
American Water Continues Excessive Water Rate Increases Across the Country
Excerpt: In the first half of this year, American Water reports that it filed rate applications in Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Illinois for $182.6 million in increased annualized revenues. As of July 31, the company was awaiting the results of rate cases in 10 states, which could generate up to $258.1 million in total annualized revenues.
Sept. 16, 2009
Consumer Alliance Fight The Hike Ohio Makes Waves Alleging Oppressive Water Rate Hikes
Excerpt: Fight the Hike Ohio, a newly formed coalition of citizens and civic leaders across the state, are following the lead of consumer advocacy groups in Tennessee, New Jersey and California that have successfully fought American Water's oppressive rate increases.
Sept. 14, 2009
Residents face proposed double-digit water, sewer rate increases
Excerpt: Families, such as Dennis and Marilyn Gregerson, say that’s too much.
“I could possibly see a 10- or 15-percent increase over three years, but 64 percent, or 55 percent or whatever they are proposing, is way too much,“ Dennis said as he and his wife worked in their garden Monday.
Sept. 14, 2009
PR firm hired to amplify anger over water rate hikes
Excerpt: Officials from seven Franklin County townships are so burned by a private water company's plan to hike rates by 55 percent that they've hired a public-relations firm to shame the company.
It worked in Tennessee.
"If this increase goes through, it will devastate these communities," Prairie Township Trustee Steve Kennedy said. "Our best bet is to bring in professional help."
Sept. 9, 2009
Norwich opposes water rate increase
Excerpt: Norwich Township is banding together with other central Ohio townships to fight a water rate increase proposal that township officials are calling unreasonable.
Norwich is one of seven townships in central Ohio that receives some water service from Ohio American Water (OAW). In June, OAW filed a request with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to increase rates for all of its residential customers in Ohio by 63.29 percent over a four-year period. The proposed rate increases are as follows: 27.36 percent increase in April 2010, 23.34 percent increase in April 2011, 6.86 percent increase in April 2012, and a 5.73 percent increase in 2013.
Sept. 1, 2009
Blendon plans to fight water-rate hikes
Excerpt: With Ohio American Water trying to raise rates for the third year in a row, Blendon Township trustees are attempting to halt the company's latest increase request.
The township held a public meeting last week with representatives of the Ohio Consumers' Council (OCC) and state Reps. Nancy Garland (D-New Albany) and Marian Harris (D-Columbus).
Last Wednesday's meeting outlined the proposed rate hikes, filed with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) in June, and the OCC's role in representing residents who are fighting the increase.
June 30, 2009
Your Water Bill Might Be Rising
Excerpt:Some central Ohioans could soon be paying more for their water service as Ohio American Water attempts to recover costs it encountered while repairing its water-delivery infrastructure.
At the Darby Lakes Subdivision in Prairie Township, the average customer pays $32 for 1,000 cubic feet of water -- an amount nearly double what Columbus water customers pay, 10TV's Kevin Landers reported.
"It's over $100 a month," said homeowner Debbie Sargent. "That's for two people."
June 23, 2009
Commissioners pass resolution opposing Ohio American rate hike
Excerpt: At their regular agenda meeting on Tuesday, June 23, 2009, the Commissioners unanimously agreed to strenuously oppose the proposed rate hike, which company officials say is to recoup costs of system upgrades, including infrastructure investments in Ashtabula County.
May 31, 2009
Ohio American water consumers fed up with repeated rate hikes
Excerpt: Assuming all the paperwork is in order, Ohio regulators will approve Ohio American Water's latest rate request -- an average 23 percent increase across 16 service areas in nine counties.
That's the way state law works. When the regulated utility can prove and justify the expense, a rate increase follows.
OAW's parent company, American Water Co., started buying up small water companies across the state in 2002. Since 2005, OAW rates have gone up three times.
May 27, 2009
Residents say water rate hike would be a hardship
Excerpt: Another water rate hike could cause some Blendon Township residents to begin looking for new places to live.
"Some people have already tried to move. Our next door neighbor moved," resident Pam Clegg said. "I know others who have moved for the same reason. This has historically been a problem (in Blendon Township) -- when I moved here 22 years ago and first saw the water bill, I just thought 'Oh, my goodness.'"
May 13, 2009
Blendon faces water rate increases
Excerpt: For the third time in as many years, Blendon Township residents are looking at potential water rate increases that could push their monthly bills to more than $150.
According to information provided by the Ohio Consumers Counsel (OCC), Ohio American Water submitted a pre-filing notification May 7 to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) for an overall rate increase of 23.4 percent to be phased in over a three-year period, starting in 2011. If approved, the average monthly water bill for customers in Huber Ridge will increase from $68 monthly to $82, according to information from the OCC.
