Ohio submetering bill would codify PUCO case law, add consumer caps and oversight

Representative Thomas told the House Energy Committee that House Bill 173 would clarify the legal status of submetering and add consumer protections after recent litigation over whether some submetering companies operate as public utilities.

"This legislation accomplishes essentially both goals, private property rights and consumer protection," Thomas said, explaining the bill would put into code that "a monopoly public utility ends at the meter" and that behind‑the‑meter services such as submetering "is not considered a public utility." He told members the PUCO and Ohio Supreme Court have addressed related disputes and that recent PUCO rulings dismissed multiple complaints…