The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) reminds residential electric and natural gas customers that the annual winter heating season reconnection program began yesterday.

Issued for 25 years by the PUCO, the winter reconnect order allows residential customers who have had their home heating service disconnected or have received a disconnection notice an opportunity to pay a designated amount to have their home heating service restored or maintained.

Residential customers must pay $175 or the amount owed, whichever is less, plus a reconnection fee of no more than $36 to restore or maintain service with their regulated natural gas or electric company. The winter reconnect order may be used one time during the winter heating season starting today through April 15, 2010.

There is no income eligibility requirement to use the reconnection program. However, participants in the program must also sign up for one of the payment plans available to pay the past-due balance on their utility bill. Customers that have multiple residential accounts may only utilize the winter reconnection order to maintain or reconnect service at the property where the customer resides.

Customers requesting new natural gas or electric service that have no previous balance with the utility may establish new service by paying $175, rather than paying the required security deposit. Customers utilizing the winter reconnection order to establish new service may have the remaining balance of the required security deposit added to their next month's bill.

There are several other state and federal programs available to assist those who qualify. The PUCO suggests that customers explore all options including the Percentage of Income Payment Plan, the Home Energy Assistance Program and the winter reconnect order. More information on these programs and ways to save on home heating bills this winter is available through Ohio's Winter Heating Resource Center available at www.winterheat.ohio.gov.

Visitors to the Ohio Winter Heating Resource Center Web site will find information about utility assistance plans for low-income households, programs to help restore natural gas or electric service that has been disconnected and budget billing payment plans. Ohioans interested in natural gas choice will find links to competitive natural gas suppliers in their area and tools to help them compare offers. Households wanting to make energy efficiency improvements can find conservation tips and ideas for preparing their residences for cold weather.