DAYTON — Dozens of people voiced their concerns about potential price hikes to their utility bills.
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It’s all a part of AES Ohio’s proposed rate hike.
“People trying to make ends meet. Single moms trying to make ends meet. They are suffering,” Rodney Stark said.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio held a public hearing Thursday.
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It’s part of the process to determine if they will approve the rate hike.
“Long after today’s hearing ends, Ohio families will still be opening their electric bills. Every rate increase approved becomes a monthly reality for them,” Todd Moore said.
AES Ohio is asking for an approximate $143 million increase over three years.
For a typical residential consumer, the proposal would increase monthly bills by about $6.50 next year, about an additional $5 the following year, and about another $2 in 2029.
“People want to know where that money is going, and we want to make sure they have an avenue to get that information,” Mary Ann Kabel with AES Ohio said.
Kabel with AES Ohio said the rate increase would provide infrastructure updates and keep service reliable.
“As we see the growth through all the communities that are within our service territory, they depend on that reliable service,” she said.
She said it would also go to different customer-focused programs, like addressing energy efficiency in their home.
There is another public hearing next week; you can also submit your comments online.
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