FirstEnergy’s Ohio Utilities File Motion to Stay, Request for Rehearing and Application for Fuel Recovery

Citing inconsistencies with state law and potentially serious financial consequences that could result from a recent Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) ruling, FirstEnergy Corp.’s Ohio utility companies filed a Motion to Stay, as well as an Application for Rehearing and an Application for a Fuel Rider, and requested an expedited ruling from the PUCO. The PUCO ruling involved the recent tariff filing for FirstEnergy’s Ohio utility... Read more..

Consumers Energy: Customers Should Expect a 7 Percent Increase in Winter Heating Bills, Down Sharply from Earlier Projections

Consumers Energy customers should expect to see their natural gas bills go up about 7 percent this winter, down sharply from the double-digit increases projected earlier this year. Consumers Energy estimated today that the typical residential customer will see an average bill of about $160 a month this winter compared to about $150 a month last winter. That estimate is based on normal temperatures for the five-month heating season, which runs from... Read more..

Former U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce Kenneth I. Juster to Advise Sunovia Energy Technologies

Sunovia Energy Technologies, Inc. announced that former U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce Kenneth I. Juster has agreed to serve as a senior advisor on the company’s advisory board. Under Secretary Juster will provide strategic counseling and assistance on a range of issues relating to public policy and international commerce. Sunovia, an early-stage renewable energy and energy conservation company, recently commenced marketing its solar, infrared... Read more..

Metals Theft Summit Brings Renewed Commitment to Catch Thieves

“I’m sure we all wish the passage of a law could eradicate a criminal act, but it doesn’t work that way,” said Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI) Director Vernon Keenan. Keenan made the remarks at a Metals Theft Stakeholder Summit held Oct. 6 in middle Georgia and telecast in Atlanta. Keenan referred to legislation passed in 2007 which allows prosecutors a greater ability to seek a felony conviction (rather than a misdemeanor)... Read more..

PPL Electric Utilities to Offer Rate Phase-In Option to Customers

PPL Electric Utilities will offer its residential and small-business customers an option that will let them adjust gradually to higher electricity prices in 2010 by stretching out the expected increase over several years. The voluntary program will start in October. Customers will be able to enroll in this new payment option starting Aug. 27. “Higher prices after a decade under capped rates for generation charges will not be easy for customers,”... Read more..