Lucas County votes to oppose FirstEnergy rate increase application at PUCO
Summary
The board approved a resolution urging the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to scrutinize FirstEnergy—s application in case 26-347-EL-AIR and, as written, opposed the proposed phased rate increases that staff said could total about $16/month for a 1,000 kWh customer over three years.
Lucas County commissioners voted to oppose FirstEnergy—s current rate increase application before the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), according to staff briefing and a roll-call vote at the August 25 meeting.
Ben Pushka summarized the PUCO docket (case 26-347-EL-AIR) and staff—s reading of the company—s proposal: "What would end up being a $5.30 per month increase for a user of 1000 kilowatts each month, for 3 years," he said, adding that the figure would rise cumulatively in subsequent years to roughly $16 per month by the end of the proposed term. Commissioners said the county should oppose any increase and urged public participation in the PUCO process.
One commissioner recalled decades of rate fights and touted the Northwest Ohio Aggregation Coalition (NOAC) as a regional watchdog, arguing the county should "unilaterally oppose this through the process." Another commissioner emphasized the need for "competent and credible evidence" to justify rates, and the board—s motion to oppose the application as written passed on a roll call.
The resolution asks PUCO staff to carefully evaluate FirstEnergy—s evidence and encourages local governments, community organizations and residents to participate in the review. County staff said they will monitor filings, staff reports and evidentiary developments and return with updates as the case progresses.
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