Trending
WARREN -- City council voted unanimously Wednesday to adopt a resolution requesting the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio deny the proposed 30% rate increase by Enbridge Gas Ohio, formerly Dominion Energy Ohio.
Enbridge has filed with PUCO for a 30% increase for its natural gas distribution services.
If the rate hike is approved, it will cost the average residential consumer more than $100 per year. Additionally, the utility is asking to inflict on its consumers additional monthly charges of $8.78 per month this year, and as much as $29.69 per month by 2032.
The resolution was requested by all 10 council members.
Councilwoman Helen Rucker, D-at Large, said she is "very proud" that all of council voted to support the "protest."
"We all feel that this is excessive and unnecessary and so we are jointly opposing it," she said.
Greg Greathouse, D-3rd Ward, said the resolution is a near copy of legislation discussed by Akron City Council.
Greathouse also said he sent a letter on council letterhead to PUCO requesting a public hearing for communities in the Mahoning Valley such as Youngstown and Warren. The commission only does such meetings for cities with more than 100,000 residents.
Michael J. O'Brien, D-at Large, said Warren is the first city in Trumbull County to adopt a resolution against the proposed increase. He is encouraging similar legislation from other communities.
"This resolution has been proposed to Girard, Niles, Hubbard, Cortland, Lordstown, so all the cities in Trumbull County will be in unison opposing this unacceptable rate increase," O'Brien said.
Maureen Willis, Ohio Consumers' Counsel, spoke to residents at a Warren Public Utilities Committee meeting in March regarding what they can do to oppose the potential increase.
According to Willis, Enbridge, an energy company headquartered in Calgary, Canada, which acquired Dominion Energy Ohio earlier this year, is seeking the rate increase because of infrastructure replacements.
Willis encouraged citizens to voice their opinions by communicating with PUCO.
She said those for or against the rate increase can send a letter to PUCO, submit comments on the commission's website or show up and speak at local public hearings.
Willis believes PUCO will provide a decision on the case by the end of the year.
Warren Mayor Doug Franklin credited city council for coming together to adopt the resolution.
"This is, in my opinion, extremely excessive," Franklin said. "We don't often have many opportunities, communities don't, to say that we oppose some of these public utilities that are raising rates ... I see unanimous council sponsorship of this (resolution), that means a lot. I'm just pleased that we had the foresight to get our voices heard as best as we can."
Have an interesting story? Contact Mason Cole by email at mcole@tribtoday.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @masoncoletrib.