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A Butler County location has been added to The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio's schedule of hearings on the proposed "security" electrical rate increase by Duke Energy Ohio.

According to Duke, the plan would increase the average total electric bill for residential consumers at least 5.7 percent over the next three years. The plan also includes several separate riders that could result in other increases which could not be controlled by energy conservation.

The PUCO has added the 6:30 p.m. Oct. 15 hearing at Lakota East High School in Liberty Twp. to its slate to allow more Butler County residents testify regarding how the rate increases could affect them, officials said.

The Ohio Consumers' Counsel, a residential consumers advocate, opposes the increase.

"The OCC is pleased that the PUCO has added more opportunities for consumers to express their opinions about the rate increases that have been requested by Duke," said Janine Migden-Ostrander, counsel for the OCC. "With the Ohio economy in such difficult shape, it is more important than ever for the public to come out and testify so the PUCO will know what impact such an increase will have on residential consumers."

The OCC will host an information session in Cincinnati prior to the official PUCO hearings, which will collect testimony to be considered by PUCO officials in the rate cases approval or denial.

A panel of experts from the OCC and the Ohio Consumer and Environmental Advocates will provide Duke Energy customers with an overview of the proposed plan, information about energy efficiency, renewable energy and the impact on low-income consumers and seniors. A question and answer period will immediately follow the presentation.

For more information on the Duke rate case, or to receive a fact sheet, call (877) 742-5622 or visit pickocc.org.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2843 or jheffner@coxohio.com.