Ohioans squeezed by rising utility costs amid summer heat wave

Ohioans' utility bills continue to climb and many older adults, especially those on fixed incomes, cannot keep up.New data from the advocacy group Powerlines showed across the nation, utilities have proposed more than $18 billion in rate increases this year. In Ohio, at least three companies submitted rate increase proposals, including Cleveland Illuminating Company, Toledo Edison and Ohio Edison.Christy Pember, community leader for the Cincinnati-based advocacy group Coffee Compassion Action, said more residents are expressing frustration with unaffordable monthly cooling costs as temperatures climb."One lady said for the last three months, her Duke bill has been $1,200 a month," Pember reported. "That's just where we are and it's not changing," Pember said.Investor-owned utilities are planning to spend more than $1 trillion on operating expenses, infrastructure and other costs which, according to the report, could be felt for years to come through future rate increase requests. Nationwide, two of three consumers reported their electric or gas bill increased this year and three of four are worried their bills will continue to rise.Pember added there are few options for debt relief and believes some repayment plans offered by utilities leave ratepayers in a deeper financial hole."They really, really prey on poor people and their desperation to get their power back on," Pember asserted. "Then they just get stuck right back in the cycle and their payments are increased."The Ohio Utility Assistance Program, which is administered by the Dollar Energy Fund, provides grants of up to $300 for past-due bills. Community Action Agencies and the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel are resources for local utility assistance programs.