How Should Electric Utility Companies Refund Unauthorized Electricity Charges, and Do Electric Utility Companies Have a Right to Collect Deferred Charges?

In the Matter of the Application of Columbus Southern Power Company and In the Matter of the Application of Ohio Power Company, Case no. 2012-0187

Public Utilities Commission of Ohio

ISSUES:

Did the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) correctly follow the Ohio Supreme Court's directive when this case was remanded, or did the commission go beyond its scope?

Are electric utility companies required to show that recovery of certain costs was necessary to make electricity service more certain?

Are electric utility companies required to demonstrate an economic need for collecting charges that are deferred for collection until after the end of a three-year service plan?

When certain charges are found to be unauthorized, is the PUCO required to reduce other charges scheduled to be phased in later in order to credit consumers for the unauthorized charges?

When the PUCO defers certain charges and schedules them to be phased in later, do the companies have a right to collect those charges?

When the PUCO orders companies to refund unauthorized charges, is a rate adjustment deferral accounting or retroactive rate-making?