COLUMBUS, OHIO (July 31, 2019) – The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) today issued a fine to One Source Energy, LLC and directed the Ohio Attorney General to seek a court order to compel the company to comply. One Source serves at least 118 residential customers, primarily located in Southington Township, Trumbull County.
The Commission found One Source lacks the managerial, technical and financial resources necessary to safely operate a natural gas utility, and is likely operating in violation of state and federal gas pipeline safety standards.
The Commission issued a $25,000 fine to One Source for its failure to comply with a previous Commission order to cease enrolling new customers. Additionally, the utility failed to acknowledge or correct alleged violations resulting from two PUCO safety inspections and failed to appear at PUCO hearings.
The Commission’s order directs One Source cease operations by Sept. 6, 2019. The PUCO will notify One Source customers with the customer notice attached at the end of this news release.
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 the hearing after it was discovered the company was continuing to enroll new customers, in direct violation of a Commission order.
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.