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PUCO orders Natural Gas Utility One Source Energy Cease Operations by Sept. 6

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COLUMBUS, OHIO (Aug. 22, 2019) – The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) today ordered One Source Energy to cease operations by September 6.

“The Commission remains concerned about One Source’s non compliance with statutes, the state of its finances, and its managerial capability,” stated PUCO Chairman Sam Randazzo. “A sale and transfer of One Source’s system and customers to a gas utility in good standing could be beneficial to the customers that are currently relying on One Source.”

In its order, the Commission found One Source is unable to demonstrate that it is in compliance with Ohio laws and regulations to reliably provide natural gas service to its customers.

The Commission also affirmed an Aug. 20, 2019 directive from the PUCO’s attorney examiner requiring One Source to file a plan by August 23 detailing how it will safely retire and abandon its system on or before September 6, including a communications plan and notice to its customers how it will do so safely.

Customers with questions about their utility service can reach the PUCO Call Center online at PUCO.ohio.gov or by calling (800) 686-7826.

Background

On May 24, 2016, One Source filed an application with the PUCO to be certified as a natural gas distribution company.

On Sept. 28, 2017, PUCO staff filed its review of the company’s application and noted the utility was providing service to customers without the Commission’s authority, and the certification application was incomplete.

On April 11, 2018, the Commission ordered One Source to file specific financial information necessary for its review, and directed the company to cease enrolling new customers until granted authority by the PUCO.

On Aug. 22, 2018, One Source officials failed to comply with subpoenas to appear for depositions and provide testimony regarding its operations.

On March 8, 2019, PUCO staff updated its recommendation indicating One Source continued to fail to comply with requests for information or reply to multiple notices that the company was in violation of gas pipeline safety rules. PUCO staff also noted that One Source has been enrolling new customers in violation of a previous Commission order.

On April 8, 2019, One Source officials failed to appear at hearing after it was discovered the company was continuing to enroll new customers, in direct violation of a Commission order.

On July 31, 2019, the Commission ordered One Source to demonstrate it had the managerial, technical, and financial capability to provide natural gas service to its customers, or otherwise cease operations, and assessed a $25,000 fine for failure to comply with Commission orders.

On Aug. 19, 2019, PUCO staff recommended the Commission find One Source was unable to demonstrate why it should continue to operate as a natural gas utility.

On Aug. 20, 2019, a PUCO attorney examiner directed One Source to file a plan by August 23 regarding its plan to retire and safely abandon natural gas service, including a communications plan and notice to its customers.

On Aug. 21, 2019, One Source filed a notice with the Commission that it is pursuing the sale of its system to another pipeline operator.

A copy of today’s finding and order is available on the PUCO website at PUCO.ohio.gov. Click on the link to the Docketing Information System (DIS) and search for case 16-1181-GA-ACE.