Ohio Electric Providers Lie To Residents Solicitors Trying To Push Customers

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Posted 3:21 p.m. EDT October 8, 2000 -- The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has issued an alert reminding consumers that deregulation of electric service does not require them to choose a new supplier.

The agency says solicitors are telling customers they must choose a new electricity supplier or go without power starting Jan. 1.

But the PUCO's Lee Ruh says that's not so. She says no one's electricity will be shut off if they don't choose a supplier.

Ohio's electricity market officially opens to competition on Jan. 1, but the date when consumers can begin choosing among suppliers will depend on marketers in a given area.

Before Jan. 1, only suppliers who are certified by the PUCO may solicit customers. No suppliers are certified yet

http://www.newsnet5.com/sh/news/ohio/stories/news-ohio-20001008-142144.html

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), October 08, 2000