Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
House Energy Committee hears broad opposition to House Bill 142 over settlements, forecasted rates and consumer protections
Summary
Opponents told the House Energy Committee that House Bill 142 would codify a PUCO settlement standard that weakens scrutiny of utility deals, expand forecasted test years and riders for gas companies, shorten review windows and remove refund rights — moves they say would shift costs to consumers.
Columbus — On Wednesday the House Energy Committee took opponent testimony on House Bill 142, a rate‑making and energy policy bill that witnesses said would change how the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) reviews settlements, let gas utilities use expanded forecasted test years and riders, shorten PUCO review windows and limit consumer refunds.
Karen Nordstrom, clean energy attorney for the Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund, told the committee she opposes the bill’s proposed codification of the PUCO stipulation standard in section 4,903.3 because, she said, the three‑pronged test “functionally operates to rubber stamp settlements between utilities, intervening parties and commission staff.” Nordstrom said the practical effect is to shift the burden of proof onto parties that oppose a settlement and to insulate confidential settlement talks from meaningful scrutiny.
The Ohio Manufacturers Association (represented by Kim Boiko, partner at Carpenter Lipps, testifying for the OMA Energy Council) said the bill would expand forecasted test periods to natural gas companies…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
