PUCO issues reconnect order so customers won’t lose gas, electric during winter

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio on Sept.18 issued a Special Reconnect Order ensuring that people served by PUCO-regulated utilities won’t have their gas or electric service cut from Oct. 13, 2025, through April 15, 2026.

The order states that those customers will have their service both reconnected and maintained through the winter. Per the order, customers must pay $175, plus any applicable reconnection charge, which cannot exceed $36. If the utility’s reconnect charge exceeds $36, the outstanding balance will be charged to the customer’s next monthly bill.

The order also applies to customers who wish to establish new electric or gas service, provided they are served by PUCO-regulated utilities. Instead of paying the full security deposit required for new service, those customers can pay up to $175. The balance above $175 will be added to the customer’s next monthly bill.

The order stipulates that there is no eligibility requirement.

“However, customers who are at or below 175% of the federal income guidelines may apply for assistance through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) winter crisis program to pay the $175 amount,” the order states.

Outgoing Community Action Council of Portage County Executive Director David Shea encourages people who believe they may be eligible for HEAP to contact the non-profit agency at 330-297-1456. CAC also administers the county’s Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP Plus), winter crisis program, summer cooling program, EFSP utility assistance program and PRC utility assistance funds.