Streetcar Electric Tax on Death-bed - Public Input Pays Off

Yesterday Duke and the other parties to the PUCO rate case released their agreed "Stipulation and Recommendation." Available below.

Included was an agreement to accept the PUCO staff recommendation and the hundreds of letters and public comments, that the Streetcar tax be denied.

Duke Makes it Clear that the Streetcar Tax is a Streetcar Tax!

We have heard caterwauling from the Streetcar Sycophants like Roxanne Qualls and Mayor Mallory that Duke's proposed Streetcar Tax is not about the Streetcar. False accusations that COAST is using lies and misinformation to somehow "drum up" opposition to the proposal.

Well, it looks as if Duke's own attorney failed to get the memo. As she states explicitly:

The Company's Rider FRT and supporting testimony filed in these preceedings clearly define and identify the type of public transportation projects eligible for inclusion and specifically identify one particular project. namely the City of Cincinnati's street car project, as such a project...Nonetheless, there are no other specific projects to be identified presently pursuant to Rider FRT because no such projects exist at this time.

We'll take that as vindication. The Streetcar Tax has always been about the Streetcar and nothing else; and will always be about the Streetcar, and nothing else.

Read Duke's entire Memorandum Contra Staff and OCC Motions to Strike below.

Submit your public comment in opposition to Rider FRT here. Remember to reference Case No. 12-1682-EL-AIR.

Read others' comments here.

  Duke Response to Motion to Strike by COAST  

Duke Rate Case Hearing Tonight...

Tonight the PUCO will be hosting its second Public Hearing in the Duke Rate Case. Included for discussion and consideration is the infamous "Streetcar Electric Tax."

Last night over 100 people filled the Fairfield meeting and we hope for an even bigger crowd tonight.

First of Four PUCO Public Hearings Tonight...

Ohio's PUCO will be holding four public hearings on Duke's Rate Increase Request (details below)

Included in the Request is the Streetcar Electric Tax. As detailed here and here. If allowed, this will result in the cost of the Streetcar being covered by Electricity users throughout the region, not solely within the City Limits.

Tonight's Meeting:

6:30 P.M. Fairfield Township Administrative Building 

6032 Morris Road

Hamilton, OH 45011

Directions here. 

The best way to ensure that this cost is born by the City of Cincinnati is for PUCO to Deny the Request for the Streetcar Tax (Officially Rider FRT) and declare that the City of Cincinnati is responsible for the costs of relocating utility lines for the Streetcar.

Approximately 500 people have already submitted comments online. Submit your comments in person tonight or online here. Make sure to reference Case Number 12-1682-EL-AIR. Read other comments here.

PUCO Public Comment

As we may have mentioned a few times, Ohio's Public Utilities Commission is considering a proposal to allow Cincinnati to pass on the cost of utility relocation onto rate payers rather than have the City cover those costs itself. The infamous Streetcar Tax. We may have even encouraged you to submit a public comment.

Below is a recent comment submitted by a Mr. Larry Southwick of North Avondale.

Read his comment and then submit your own here. Remember to include "Case No. 12-1682-EL-AIR"

Ohio Consumers' Counsel Joins COAST in Opposing Streetcar Tax

The Battle is far from over

Monday afternoon the Office of Ohio Consumers' Counsel filed its "Objections to the PUCO Staff's Report of Investigation" in the Duke rate case presently before the PUCO.

The Consumers' Counsel joins the rising chorus against the Streetcar Tax.

While we'd like to think that COAST has pursued and explained this issue as well as anyone; we must admit that the argument put forth by the Consumers' Counsel impresses us for its clarity and depth of analysis. In just a few paragraphs every horrible aspect of the proposed tax is laid wide open for all to see.

Christopher Smitherman and Marc Amazon

Friday night, Marc Amazon hosted Cincinnati NAACP President and City Council member Christopher Smitherman. Up for discussion: the Streetcar; the Mayor's "deal" with Duke on the Streetcar Utility Relocation Costs; the Duke PUCO proposal to add a "Streetcar Tax" to Cincinnati Electric bills; the upcoming mayoral and council races; and much more.

Smitherman has been the greatest single advocate for fiscal sanity on City council the past few years; providing a much needed voice in favor of responsible stewardship of public resources.

Listen below or click this link to listen at 700WLW.com

Christopher Smitherman and Brian Thomas

This morning Christopher Smitherman spoke with Brian Thomas about Medicaid expansion and the City Council vote to bully SORTA into using transit tax dollars for the Streetcar.

Council is threatening public transportation with this vote.

The SORTA discussion begins at 3:50

Listen below or click here.



Read the Ordinance here:

  Cincinnati City Council Ordinance 19-2013 by  

Letters Opposing Streetcar Tax Flooding PUCO

The PUCO has been inundated with letters, faxes and emails opposing the Duke Streetcar Tax proposal.

COAST opposes the plan because it would effectively allow Duke a taxing authority and incentivize foolish decisions by City Council - as if they need any encouragement!

Chris Finney on 550 WKRC at 7:05 AM

UPDATE - Listen to Chris Finney and Brian Thomas below.

Thursday morning COAST attorney Chris Finney will appear with Brian Thomas on 550 WKRC-AM beginning at 7:05 am.

They will discuss the Duke Streetcar Tax Proposal currently before PUCO and the current status of the Streetcar Project.

Listen live here.

Submit your comment to PUCO today. You can use PUCO's online comment form to let them know you don't want to pay for a Streetcar on your Electric Bill. Include reference Case 12-1682-EL-AIR in your comment.

Review the whole PUCO case file here.

COAST will continue to follow this case and keep you updated.

PUCO Streetcar Tax Procedural Schedule Released

Today PUCO released the schedule for the Duke Streetcar Tax proposal. This sets forth the dates and times for various hearings and deadlines for the parties and intervenors. You can read the document below.

PUCO has not yet released the schedule for the public comment hearings. Those dates will be released in a separate document.

PUCO Still Considering Streetcar Tax - Hearings Next

As we first reported here, Duke Energy has proposed a "Facilities Relocation Tariff" to recoup the costs associated with the Cincinnati Streetcar - known affectionately as a Streetcar Tax.

The PUCO staff report was recently released (read that here). The staff opposes the Streetcar Tax in part because it is not well defined and too open ended. Ironically, this same thing can be said for the Streetcar project itself.

Streetcar Tax PUCO Staff Report

The Public Utilities Commission has released its Staff Report on Duke's proposed Streetcar Rate Increase.

The PUCO staff does not support the "Facilities Relocation - Mass Transportation Rider" as it is called in PUCO parlance. You can read the document for yourself below.  The Streetcar Rate increase begins at page 32 of the pdf (21 of the document).

COAST and GreenPeace

Dan Monk at the Business Courier put together a piece on COAST and GreenPeace both organizing against Duke's latest rate increase request.

While COAST and GreenPeace are working toward different ends, the method of citizen involvement is remarkably similar.  Although we note that a great number of the comments filed by GreenPeace come from out of state by people not affected by Duke's Ohio rates.  That is the difference between Grassroots and Astroturf.

The article is behind the firewall, but can be found here.

Learn more about our efforts to stop Duke's proposed Streetcar Tax and how you can submit your comment here.  We expect the PUCO initial staff report any day now.

There is still time to comment on Cincinnati's Streetcar Tax

As we first reported here, the Ohio Public Utilities Commission is currently considering a proposal by Duke Energy to allow Cincinnati City Council to add a surcharge for the Cincinnati Streetcar.  Public Comments are being accepted.

The PUCO staff report is expected next week.   Already hundreds of concerned citizens have weighed in to oppose this hidden tax.  Make sure your voice is heard as well.  You can use this sample email link  as a template.  Or use PUCO's online comment form to let them know you don't want to pay for a Streetcar on your Electric Bill. Include reference Case 12-1682-EL-AIR in your comment.

Review the whole PUCO case file here.

COAST will continue to follow this case and keep you updated.

Chris Finney Discusses Duke Streetcar Rate Increase with Brian Thomas

Contact PUCO NOW!

This morning COAST legal counsel Chris Finney discussed Duke's Proposed Streetcar Rate Increase with Brian Thomas on 55KRC.  As he discussed with WLW two weeks ago, this proposed rate increase is nothing more than a tax increase for all Cincinnatians.

- Update - Listen to Chris Finney with Brian Thomas beginning at 13:40 here. 

Duke's proposal is before Ohio's Public Utilities Commission (PUCO).  PUCO accepts public comment and will consider your input when deciding the issue.  It is crucial that you contact PUCO today.

PUCO case number 12-1682-EL-AIR contains the request by Duke.

As with all proposed rate increases PUCO will consider public comment before ruling on the request.

You can file a comment online here:
 https://www.puc.state.oh.us/secure/PicForm/index.cfm?intype=comment

Or you can send your comment in the mail to 180 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215.

It is important that you include PUCO case number 12-1692-EL-AIR so your comment is properly received and filed!