
FirstEnergy Asks the PUCO for a $190 Million Rate Increase on top of recent distribution increases
FirstEnergy is asking the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to order its consumers to pay $190 million more for their electric distribution service. To protect FirstEnergy’s nearly two million residential consumers, the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) has a team of industry experts preparing to challenge FirstEnergy’s request.
FirstEnergy estimates that, under its proposal and considering recent distribution rate increases approved by the PUCO, total bills for a typical Illuminating Company consumer using 1,000 kWh per month will jump from $173.61 to $186.63 per month. For a typical Ohio Edison consumer, the increase would be from $170.23 to $173.22 per month; and a typical consumer of Toledo Edison would see their average monthly bill rise from $171.74 to $173.30.
As the state agency designated to represent residential utility consumers, OCC is carefully examining the utility’s facts, figures and evidence in the case and will advocate for just and reasonable rates for FirstEnergy consumers.
FirstEnergy officials once referred to the 2024 rate case as “The Ohio Hole” because they were concerned it could lead to a rate decrease. But now, FirstEnergy says a rate increase is needed.
Your voice as a consumer is critical in the case. See below for information on making your voice heard at the PUCO.
OCC Presentation on FirstEnergy’s Rate Increase Request: The Board of Lucas County Commissioners heard from Deputy Consumers’ Counsel Angela O’Brien and Senior Outreach and Education Program Specialist Amy Carles about FirstEnergy's submitted proposal to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) seeking approval for a $190 million rate increase for consumers of its electric distribution service.
Get involved to make an impact in the case!
Make Your Voice Heard at the PUCO
Speak In-Person: At a local public hearing, consumers can share their views face-to-face with at least one of the five PUCO commissioners. Those who testify will have their comments included as evidence in the case record that the PUCO must consider in ruling on the utility’s request.
Here are the recently announced public hearings:
5 p.m. Thursday, April 3, 2025, at the Cleveland Public Library, Learning Commons Space, 325 Superior Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44114.6 p.m. Monday, April 7, 2025 at the Akron-Summit County Public Library, 60 S. High St., Akron, Ohio 44326.- 6 p.m. Monday, April 14, 2025at Board of Lucas County Commissioners, One Government Center, Suite 800, Toledo, Ohio 43604.
Click this link for OCC tips on how to speak at local public hearings: https://bit.ly/occ-make-your-voice-heard.
Comment Online: Click on “File a Public Comment” at https://bit.ly/24-0468-EL-AIR.
Write a letter: Send a letter referencing FirstEnergy and PUCO Case 24-0468-EL-AIR to:
Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
180 E. Broad St., 11th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Virtual Hearing Requested: In addition to the in-person public hearings, OCC has requested that the PUCO hold a virtual public hearing on this rate increase proposal. And FirstEnergy has supported OCC’s request. The PUCO has not ruled on this request yet.
Jobs, health challenges, mobility issues, disabilities, childcare, eldercare, transportation limitations and other concerns make it difficult for many Ohioans to attend an in-person hearing. All consumers deserve the opportunity to be heard by a PUCO commissioner.
Want to Know More?
OCC’s Motion to Intervene on behalf of FirstEnergy consumers is available at this link: https://dis.puc.state.oh.us/DocumentRecord.aspx?DocID=b76a255f-46a2-4b70-b625-969f59f2be67.
Here is a link to the PUCO docket with all the filings in the case: https://dis.puc.state.oh.us/CaseRecord.aspx?CaseNo=24-0468.
Questions?
Call or email the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, your residential utility consumer advocate, at 1-877-742-5622 or occ@occ.ohio.gov.
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