Rep's Corner

By: REP. LYNN OLMAN

The time has come to prepare for electric choice. On July 6, 1999 Governor Taft signed into law Senate Bill 3 that opens the door to competition in the electric industry. The prospect of being able to choose your electric supplier is exciting, though as anticipated, there are probably many questions you, the consumer, have. A part of the legislation that was passed last year concerning electric deregulation was to enact a comprehensive consumer education program. I am happy to report that this consumer education program, known as Ohio Electric Choice, is in place.

Ohio Electric Choice has many important components you would expect of a comprehensive education plan. The program has a web site and toll free answer center to help residents with questions about the choices they will be making. It has a consumer guide to provide home and business owners with a reference book of information on electric choice. It also has media interviews and advertisements to raise people’s awareness of the coming of electric competition. It even has one education component you might not expect, Wattson the Robot.

Wattson is an adult-sized, multi-lingual robot who is schooled in the intricacies of Ohio’s coming competitive electric marketplace. He’s already appeared at the Ohio State Fair and will be one of the many visible ways Ohioans can learn about electric choice.

Beginning January 1, 2001, the electric utility market in Ohio opens to competition. This means many consumers and businesses will be able to choose the company that supplies their electricity. In the past, one company provided all parts of your electric service (generating the electricity and delivering it to your home or business). With electric choice, the generation piece is split off, giving consumers the opportunity to choose the company that supplies their electricity.

Your electricity will still be delivered the same way, over the same poles and wires that you have always relied on. The safety and reliability of your electric service will not change. Also, your current electric utility will still deliver your electricity, and is still responsible for repairing lines and restoring power following outages.

I urge to you watch carefully for the information Ohio Electric Choice provides. The web site, www.OhioElectricChoice.com, will be operating on October 1st. The toll free answer center, 1-888-OEC-1314 (1-888-632-1314) is now available for consumers to call with any questions. Educational brochures and a consumer guide will be ready next month, as will the advertising campaign, using television, radio, billboards and newspapers. The goal is to ensure that consumers have access to the information they need to make informed decisions and take advantage of a competitive electric market.

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© Copyright 2008 State Representative Lynn Olman. All rights reserved.