Ohio Public Utilities Commission
| Ohio Public Utilities Commission | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Non-partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| 2013 FY Budget: | $74,014,053 |
| Total Seats: | 5 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 5 years |
| Leadership: | Todd Snitchler |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by Governor |
| Other Ohio Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commission | |
Contents |
Current officeholder
The current chairman is Todd Snitchler. He serves alongside Lynn Slaby, Steven Lesser and M. Beth Trombold.[1]
There is currently a vacancy following Andre Porter's appointment as Director of Commerce in April 2013.[2]
Qualifications
There are no specific qualifications for this office. General qualifications to hold a statewide, constitutionally authorized office are outlined in Article VX, Section 4 of the state Constitution:
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No person shall be elected or appointed to any office in this state unless possessed of the qualifications of an elector. |
- resident of Ohio
- a qualified elector
- at least 18 years old
Appointments
The commissioners are appointed by the governor to staggered five-year terms. One seat on the commission becomes available each year, and terms normally begin in April.
Vacancies
In the event of a vacancy in the office, the governor will appoint a successor to fill the unexpired term of the departing commissioner.
Duties
The public utilities commission regulates electric and natural gas companies, local and long distance telephone companies, water and wastewater companies, and rail and trucking companies across the state. The commission works to ensure Ohioians have access to adequate, safe, and reliable public utilities at a fair price. The commission also:
- protects consumers by enforcing relevant rules and laws
- resolves disputes between utilities and customers and between competing utility companies
- assures the availability of safe and reliable service to all customers
- provides comparison information to consumers, answers questions, and offers help with utility-related problems
- regulates the rates for utility services when there is no choice in provider[3]
Divisions
- Administration
- Attorney General
- Business Resources
- Energy and Environment
- Legal
- Public Affairs
- Service Monitoring and Enforcement
- Transportation
- Utilities
State budget
The budget for the Public Utilities Commission in Fiscal Year 2013 was $74,014,053.[4]
Compensation
In 2010, each commissioner of public utilities in Ohio was paid an estimated $109,595 according to the Council of State Governments.[5]
Contact information
Ohio Public Utilities Commission
180 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-466-3292
Toll-free: 1-800-686-7826
TTY: 1-800-686-1570
Fax: 614-752-8351
File an informal complaint online
Ask a question online
Make a comment onlins
See also
External links
References
- ↑ Ohio Public Utilities Commission "About the Commission" Accessed February 4, 2013
- ↑ Columbus Business First, "Andre Porter leaving PUCO to head up Commerce Department," April 11, 2013
- ↑ Ohio.gov, "Public utilities commission: About the commission," Accessed August 1, 2011
- ↑ Ohio Office of Budget and Management, "FY 2012-2013 - Enacted," accessed April 12, 2013
- ↑ The Council of State Governments,"The Book of States 2010 Table 4.11," retrieved April 23, 2011
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