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Industry Opposes Consumer Groups' Bid to Partly Delay Ohio Rate Increase Rules

Ohio's Public Utilities Commission shouldn’t delay implementing a rule, not effective for four years, that allows local phone companies to apply for clearance to increase basic local exchange rates without limitation, the Ohio Telecom Association replied Monday in docket 19-173-TP-ORD.…

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Consumer groups sought delay of that part of a recent state law (see 1904110026). “Delay in approving the rule would not be lawful” and “would inject additional uncertainty into financial decisions that are made over years, not at the last minute,” OTA said. The Ohio Cable Telecommunications Association agreed. If the PUC adopts the rule, the Office of Consumer Counsel should be given advance notice of applications for unlimited price increases to protect consumers, OCC and other consumer groups replied.