We had a lively January Ag Network Breakfast program this month (January) as a guest from the Public Utilities commission of Ohio (PUCO) joined us for the morning. We benefit greatly from access to excellent electricity and natural gas, but as with many things, there are challenges and controversies. PUCO regulates investor-owned utilities of natural gas, electric, telephone (local and long-distance), water and wastewater, commercial motor carriers and moving companies, and railroad crossing safety. They do not regulate cell phone service and towers, internet service, cable service, propane and fuel oil, municipal utilities, or electric and natural gas cooperatives. For many of us the most visible place we see the role of PUCO is in our electric and natural gas service. One resource we discussed at length during our program was the Apples to Apples Comparison Charts which provide a comprehensive listing of the companies electric and natural gas billing services. As it turns out, it can be a bit dicey navigating through all the offerings to see where your best options are. This chart can be found at https://energychoice.ohio.gov/ApplesToApples.aspx.
PUCO: https://www.puco.ohio.gov/
PUCO Apples to Apples Comparison Charts: https://energychoice.ohio.gov/
AEP Ohio’s Agricultural Energy Efficiency Program: https://www.aepohio.com/save/business/programs/Agriculture.aspx
Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Calendar:
January 13. Extension Advisory Committee Meeting
January 14. Master Gardener Training Class Begins
January 16. Private Pesticide Applicator Exam Training, 6:00 PM, Rural Services Building
January 23. Private Pesticide Applicator Exam Session, 1:00 PM, Rural Services Building (Register for Exam at this link)
January 28. Agronomy School
January 30. Ohio Beef Cattle Nutrition and Management School Session 1.
January 30. Ohio Beef Cow/Calf Workshop Session 1.
February 4. Muskingum Ag Network Breakfast
February 4. Pesticide and Fertilizer Applicator Recertification
February 6. Pesticide and Fertilizer Applicator Recertification
February 8. Sheep 101 (Muskingum County Sheep Producers Improvement Association)