Winter heating program to begin

Staff report

COLUMBUS

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has announced that its winter heating season reconnect program begins Monday.

The program allows residential customers who have had their home heating service disconnected — or have received a disconnection notice — the opportunity to pay and have their heating service restored or maintained.

Residential customers pay $175, or the amount owed, whichever is less, and a reconnection fee of no more than $36 to have their service restored or maintained. The winter reconnect order may be used one time during the heating season that runs from Monday to April 13.

There is no income eligibility requirement, but customers must sign up for a payment plan to pay any remaining past-due balance on their utility bill, according to a PUCO press release.