Ohio Administrative Code
Title 4901:1 - Utilities
Chapter 4901:1-26 - Dispute Resolution
Section 4901:1-26-02 - Definitions

(A) "Mediation" is a voluntary, alternative dispute resolution process available to resolve formal complaints pending at the commission that are between nonmercantile, nonresidential customers, on the one hand, and electric utilities, electric service companies, electric cooperatives, or governmental aggregators, on the other hand. Under this mediation process, a neutral third party, who is independent of the parties, assists the parties in reaching their own settlement. The mediator does not have the power to impose a resolution. The role of the mediator and the goal of the process are to help the parties achieve their own resolution.

(B) "Arbitration" is a voluntary, alternative dispute resolution process available to resolve formal complaints pending at the commission that are between nonmercantile, nonresidential customers, on the one hand, and electric utilities, electric service companies, electric cooperatives, or governmental aggregators, on the other hand. Under this arbitration process, the parties present evidence and legal arguments to a neutral third party, called an arbitrator or an arbitration panel, who renders a decision.

(C) "Commission" means the public utilities commission of Ohio.

(D) "Certified arbitration process" means a commercial arbitration process, the use of which has been approved by the commission pursuant to paragraphs (B) and (J) of rule 4901:1-26-04 of the Administrative Code for resolving disputes arising under formal complaints filed with the commission.