Committee hears industry‑backed Sub. H.B. 173 to codify PUCO oversight of submetering; no committee vote

The House Energy Committee held a fourth hearing on Sub. H.B. 173, a bill that would codify Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) authority over submetering and establish registration, compliance plans and consumer protections for residents of master‑metered multifamily properties.

Teresa Ringenbach, senior vice president of corporate affairs for Nationwide Energy Partners (NEP), testified the bill would require submetering providers to register with the PUCO and pay a $200 fee to cover administrative costs. She said the registration would include “financial, managerial and technical requirements” so a provider cannot simply “show up and say I’m going to submeter.” Ringenbach told the committee the bill requires each property that submetered units file a compliance plan with PUCO, and that a glide‑path would let existing properties come into compliance; properties that fail to cure can face a $10,000…