Ohio Energy Reporter

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Public Utilities

Columbia Gas technician aids semi-truck passengers after highway rollover

For Columbia Gas of Ohio Field Technician Curtis Van Vlerah, April 12 began like most other mornings. He was in his Columbia Gas vehicle on a loop connecting I-475 to I-75 in Toledo, near the Ryder MOD where he reports. However, his routine morning changed when he noticed the car in front of him pulling to the side of the highway and a semi-truck further ahead flipped on its side, wheels still spinning.


Public Utilities

AEP Ohio Shares Tips for Planting Trees This Spring In Celebration of Arbor Day

Gahanna, Ohio (April 23, 2024) — Spring is here, and with Arbor Day approaching, AEP Ohio is encouraging customers to plan before planting trees to prevent future power outages. Dale Hopkins, forestry manager at AEP Ohio, highlighted the importance of proper tree placement, stating, "Trees are a top cause of power outages," while emphasizing the efforts of the forestry team to maintain a safe distance between trees and power lines.To help customers make informed decisions, AEP Ohio's forestry team provided tips for planting trees in suitable locations. Hopkins advised...


Public Utilities

Columbia Gas promotes National Work Zone Awareness Week

Columbia Gas and other organizations throughout Ohio are promoting National Work Zone Awareness Week from April 15-19. They encourage motorists to slow down, stay alert, and respect work zone directives to help prevent incidents and fatalities.


Public Utilities

Columbia Gas urges caution during National Safe Digging Month

In observance of National Safe Digging Month in April, Columbia Gas has released findings from a recent national survey involving 1,000 U.S. homeowners. The survey revealed that over half (51 percent) plan to undertake an outdoor do-it-yourself digging project within the next year, yet 56 percent do not intend to notify 811 beforehand, thereby posing risks to themselves and their communities.


Public Utilities

AEP Ohio Plan to Make Electric Grid Improvements, Offer New Customer Savings Programs Approved

GAHANNA, Ohio (April 03, 2024) — AEP Ohio, a subsidiary of American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP), has received approval from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) for its Electric Security Plan (ESP). The plan outlines AEP Ohio's commitment to improving the electric grid, supporting economic development, and introducing new programs to help customers manage energy usage and save money.Marc Reitter, President, and COO of AEP Ohio, expressed the company's dedication to enhancing customer reliability while minimizing rate impacts: "Our Electric Security Plan lays...


Public Utilities

Severe Storm Update: AEP Ohio Crews Working to Restore Power After Severe Weather

GAHANNA, Ohio, April 2, 2024 - AEP Ohio crews and field personnel are actively restoring power to about 13,000 customers after storms and heavy rain took down power lines, with Northeast Columbus, Chillicothe, and Lawrence County among the hardest hit. More than 1,700 AEP Ohio crew members from over 40 service centers across the state are preparing for severe weather that will continue this evening. "Thank you for your patience."400 additional lineworkers are on their way from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, and Tennessee to assist with...


Public Utilities

AEP Ohio Urges Customers to Prepare for Severe Weather During Severe Weather Awareness Week

Gahanna, Ohio - With recent deadly tornadoes and storms in Ohio, AEP Ohio, a unit of American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP), is using Severe Weather Awareness Week as an opportunity to remind customers to review and practice emergency plans for extreme weather events.Cherie Long, AEP Ohio’s emergency preparedness manager, emphasized the importance of preparation, stating, "Our crews work every day to take steps that will help prevent power outages during severe weather."The company outlined its preparations, including ongoing maintenance, proactive monitoring of weather...


Public Utilities

Power Restoration Efforts Underway Following Suspected Tornadoes

AEP Ohio is currently mobilizing resources to restore power to customers affected by severe weather, including suspected tornadoes, that caused scattered power outages across their service territory. The hardest hit areas include Delaware, Galena, and Sunbury. According to AEP Ohio, "More than 500 line, tree, contractor, assessor and support personnel from across the state are working to restore power to AEP Ohio customers after severe weather caused scattered power outages across our service territory."The impact of the suspected tornadoes in Delaware County is...


Public Utilities

Columbia Gas of Ohio emphasizes storm preparedness during Severe Weather Awareness Week

Columbia Gas of Ohio is urging customers to prepare for potential severe weather as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week in Ohio, which runs from Sunday, March 17 to Saturday, March 23.


Public Utilities

Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day promotes STEM careers among young girls

On Feb. 19, Columbia Gas of Ohio team members welcomed the Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland back to the Arena District office for the seventh Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day. The event, organized by NiSource employee resource group DAWN (Dedicated to Advancing Women at NiSource), aims to show young girls that a career in engineering or STEM is attainable.


Public Utilities

Dominion Energy Warns Customers Against Utility Scams

Dominion Energy South Carolina is warning customers to be vigilant and watch out for potential utility scams during National Consumer Protection Week. Sam Dozier, the general manager of customer service at Dominion Energy South Carolina, emphasized the importance of recognizing the warning signs of scams, stating, “Criminals are working around the clock to steal personal information and money from utility customers across the country. We want to make sure our customers can recognize the red flags so they don’t become a scammer’s next victim."According to Dominion Energy...


Public Utilities

Dominion Energy South Carolina Requests Regulatory Review of Electric Rates to Maintain Safe, Reliable, Efficient Service as Customer Growth Continues

Dominion Energy South Carolina has recently requested a regulatory review of electric rates to ensure the maintenance of safe, reliable, and efficient service as customer growth continues. The requested increase to base rates, the first in nearly four years, would result in a net 3.58 percent increase for a residential customer's electric rates, with rates still remaining lower than the national average.President of Dominion Energy South Carolina, Keller Kissam, emphasized the importance of investing in the electric system to provide reliable and affordable energy,...


Public Utilities

Dominion Energy and the Library of Virginia Honor Four Leaders as 'Strong Men & Women in Virginia History'

Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation and the Library of Virginia have announced the 2024 Strong Men & Women in Virginia History honorees and Student Creative Expressions Contest finalists. The annual program aims to recognize African American leaders who have made significant contributions to the Commonwealth.Bill Murray, Senior Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications at Dominion Energy, expressed pride in honoring changemakers who have strengthened their communities, stating, "The Strong Men & Women in Virginia History honorees serve as role models for...


Public Utilities

``` Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation Donates $1.3 Million to Environmental Nonprofits

The Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation has awarded $1.3 million in environmental grants to 114 organizations across eight states, including $190,000 to 20 organizations in Ohio. The grants focus on environmental education and stewardship initiatives aimed at creating more sustainable communities."We're proud to recognize local organizations that safeguard the environment and create more sustainable communities," said Hunter A. Applewhite, president of the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation. "These grants reflect our commitment to support meaningful projects in the...


Public Utilities

Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation Donates $1.3 Million to Environmental Nonprofits

The Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation recently awarded $1.3 million in environmental grants to 114 organizations across eight states, with $120,134 going to 11 organizations in North Carolina. Rusty Harris, Vice President and General Manager of Dominion Energy North Carolina's natural gas business, expressed pride in the partnership with the organizations, stating, "Dominion Energy is proud to stand alongside these organizations as they provide outdoor STEM opportunities to underserved communities, revitalize and expand museum exhibits, and enhance outdoor spaces." The...


Public Utilities

Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation Donates More than $251,000 in Environmental Grants to South Carolina Nonprofits

The Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation has awarded more than $251,000 in environmental stewardship grants to 13 organizations across South Carolina. Hunter A. Applewhite, president of the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, expressed pride in recognizing local organizations that safeguard the environment and create more sustainable communities. Applewhite stated, "These grants reflect our commitment to support meaningful projects in the areas we serve."Among the projects supported by the grants are initiatives to beautify nature trails, track migratory patterns of...


Public Utilities

Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation Donates Over $251,000 in Environmental Grants to South Carolina Nonprofits

The Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation has awarded more than $251,000 in environmental stewardship grants to 13 nonprofit organizations and K-12 schools across South Carolina. The grants aim to support projects that focus on environmental education and stewardship initiatives."We're proud to recognize local organizations that safeguard the environment and create more sustainable communities," said Hunter A. Applewhite, president of the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation. "These grants reflect our commitment to support meaningful projects in the areas we serve."...


Public Utilities

Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation Donates $1.3 Million to Environmental Nonprofits

Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation recently announced the donation of $1.3 million in environmental grants to 114 organizations across eight states, with $120,134 allocated to 11 organizations in North Carolina. Rusty Harris, Vice President and General Manager of Dominion Energy North Carolina's natural gas business, expressed pride in supporting outdoor STEM opportunities and environmental initiatives. Harris stated, "Through these programs and the dedicated work of our nonprofit partners, we will make a lasting impact for North Carolina children and the environment."...


Public Utilities

Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation Donates $1.3 Million to Environmental Nonprofits

The Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation has announced a significant donation of $1.3 million to environmental nonprofits and K-12 schools across eight states, with a focus on environmental education and stewardship initiatives. A substantial portion of the donation, $475,000, was allocated to 45 organizations in Virginia.Hunter A. Applewhite, president of the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, expressed pride in supporting local organizations dedicated to safeguarding the environment and fostering sustainable communities. He stated, "These grants reflect our...


Public Utilities

Dominion Energy Reminds Customers of Available Energy Assistance

Dominion Energy, a leading provider of electricity and natural gas, is reminding its customers about the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and other available resources to help with energy costs. Last week, Dominion Energy representatives attended LIHEAP Action Day on Capitol Hill to raise awareness about the program and mobilize support."We understand the cost of utility bills can impact vulnerable households and we want our customers to know we’re here to help,” said Sam Dozier, general manager of customer service at Dominion Energy. "Last year,...