DOCKETING CASE# 24-0468-EL-AIR

CUSTOMER NAME: Jacob Market

CUSTOMER EMAIL ID: jmarket@villageofpib.com

COMPANY NAME: First Energy

CUSTOMER OF THE COMPANY?: Yes

FOR OPSB CASE, RESIDES IN PROJECT AREA?: No

SERVICE ADDRESS: Put-in-Bay, Ohio (Ottawa)

COMMENT DESCRIPTION: The Village of Put-in-Bay Council, on behalf of itself and its constituents, very much takes issue with the significant rate increases being proposed by First Energy. The increases are substantial and are coming at a time where residents and businesses alike are being squeezed by inflation from many and various fronts. This community is experiencing a “perfect storm” of inflation squeeze that has the potential to drive many young year-round families out of our island community. The increases being proposed by First Energy include a 46%, yes forty-six percent, increase in the per kWh (kilowatt hour) rate. This is absurd. No electric customer can possibly be prepared for such a stiff increase. For the Village, the street light rate is going up nearly 25%. Our budget is not prepared to handle significant increases like this. The general service base rates are going up by hundreds of dollars per billing cycle. We are in receipt of a letter from First Energy President Wade Smith with these proposed increases. He states that his companies are seeking additional fees for vegetation control as well as transmission and distribution fees be continued. How are these not double fees? In our community, First Energy has miles of road lining trees trimmed each year. This cost and service disruptions could be avoided if they buried their power lines. This may seem an expense, but in a matter of cycles, I imagine this would pay itself off in fewer downed lines and would improve the aesthetics of the community.

Regardless, the Village of Put-in-Bay is completely against the large increases proposed in this case docket. If First Energy now mourns their error in not making more rate increases over the past 17 years (their last application was in 2007) then that is on them. To punish their unprepared customers with such a significant increase would be a great disservice and harmful one.

This foregoing document was electronically filed with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Docketing Information System on 10/4/2024 8:31:56 AM in Case No(s). 24-0468-EL-AIR

Summary: Public Comment electronically filed by Jacob Market.