COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio legislators are crafting a multifaceted response to the FirstEnergy scandal, a sprawling corruption case that has shaken the state’s public utility sector. Several recently introduced bills aim to bolster consumer protection, enhance transparency, and reform the governance of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).
One key piece of legislation, Senate Bill 228, focuses on ensuring refunds for customers in cases of unlawful utility charges. Authored by Democratic Senator Kent Smith, the bill mandates the PUCO to promptly issue refunds, including interest, if a court or relevant entity overturns a commission decision. These refunds would need to be distributed within a specific timeframe following the final order.
Senator Smith has emerged as a leading voice for reform in the wake of the scandal, which involves allegations of bribery and undue influence surrounding House Bill 6, a 2019 law that bailed out two nuclear plants owned by FirstEnergy Corp. The company’s former executives and the former chairman of the PUCO, Sam Randazzo, have all been indicted on corruption charges.
Another critical bill, Senate Bill 229, seeks to revamp the process of appointing PUCO commissioners. The legislation proposes diversifying the commission by ensuring representation from consumer advocates and limiting the number of commissioners with political affiliations. Additionally, the bill calls for increased transparency by mandating public interviews of commissioner candidates and requiring them to fully disclose any potential conflicts of interest.
Senate Bill 227, dubbed “The Consumer Utility Billing Transparency Act,” aims to empower consumers by requiring detailed itemization of riders, taxes, and other charges on utility bills. This legislation seeks to improve clarity and understanding of the various components that make up a consumer’s utility bill.
These legislative initiatives represent a significant effort to address the systemic issues exposed by the FirstEnergy scandal.
