Dominion East Ohio billing under debate

Changes to the distribution part of the Dominion East Ohio’s bills are being debated by state regulators.

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has proposed moving most distribution costs from a usage-based system to a flat fee. The Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, which represents residential utility customers in rate cases, filed an objection to the proposal today.

Dominion customers in Northeast Ohio now pay $5.70 a month to cover administrative costs, such as billing and meter reading. They also pay a distribution fee that covers the cost of delivering gas. It varies by usage.

The PUCO staff has recommended that the administrative fee and most of the distribution costs be wrapped into one flat fee of $17 a month, although there still would be a small variable fee for distribution.

For more information, see Tuesday’s Vindicator or www.vindy.com.