PUCO approves settlement increasing restitution to customers in FirstEnergy/ House Bill 6 investigations

The PUCO has approved a settlement that increases the amount of money FirstEnergy’s Ohio utilities must return to customers following investigations related to House Bill 6.

The agreement was unopposed and builds on the Commission's November 19, 2025, rulings that found the companies violated Ohio law and regulatory requirements. 

Under the settlement, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, Ohio Edison Company, and The Toledo Edison Company will provide $249 million in restitution to customers over three billing periods, along with an additional $20 million to support low-income assistance programs. The utilities will also refund about $6.6 million in improper charges, plus roughly $6.2 million in interest, and pay $5 million to the Retail Energy Supply Association for regulatory violations.

“This order brings finality to these four cases and most importantly returns these dollars to the FirstEnergy customers,” stated PUCO Chair Jenifer French.

Read more about the settlement here.

Nominating council makes recommendations to Gov. DeWine

The PUCO Nominating Council submitted the names of four finalists to be considered by Gov. Mike DeWine for the position of commissioner of the PUCO to serve a term beginning on April 11, 2026 and ending April 10, 2031. After interviewing the applicants, the Nominating Council sent the following names to Gov. DeWine.

Dennis Deters
Lawrence Holmes
Sandra Williams
Jamael Brown

More information about the commissioner appointment process is available here.

PUCO adopts settlement agreement in CenterPoint distribution rate case

The PUCO has modified and approved a settlement agreement authorizing CenterPoint Energy Ohio to increase its rates for natural gas distribution service.

CenterPoint is authorized to file rates that will increase its annual revenues by approximately $51.3 million. In its order the Commission modified the agreement by lowering the return on equity and extending the amortization period for recovery of deferred expenses from 15 to 25 years, citing affordability concerns.

The cost of natural gas itself is not impacted by today’s decision. The Commission directed the utility to file tariffs to implement the rates and notify customers within 30 days.

More information about the settlement and the rate case is available here.

Reliability report rules approved

The PUCO has approved a new statewide reliability reporting process.

In mid-2025, Substitute House Bill 15 was signed into law and became effective. Part of this law required the PUCO to publish a statewide reliability report every year based on information supplied by the regulated electric distribution utilities.

In Sep. 2025, the Commission issued proposed rules for how the new report will be created. The proposed rules were open for comment by interested stakeholders.

After reviewing the comments, the PUCO adopted the proposed process with some of the suggested changes. 

Read the order and learn more about this new report here.

Comment on proposed rule changes

Following new Ohio legislation and a stakeholder meeting held in July 2025, the PUCO has proposed rule changes regarding the agency's administrative procedures.

Comments and suggestions on the proposed rules must be submitted by:
February 6: Initial comments
February 23: Reply comments

Stakeholder input is invited on the proposed standards under case 25-695-AU-ORD.

Read more and submit a comment here.

All state agencies are required to conduct a review of their rules every five years; as part of this rule review, the PUCO has proposed revisions to the rules regarding the establishment of credit for residential service and the termination of residential utility services.

Comments and suggestions on the proposed rules must be submitted by:
February 6: Initial comments
February 20: Reply comments

Stakeholder input is invited on the proposed standards under case 25-0599-AU-ORD.

Read more and submit a comment here.

“Day in the Life” video showcases work of PUCO

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) has released Volume II of its “Day in the Life” video series, launching with a behind-the-scenes look at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

The PUCO installment offers an in-depth view of how public utility commissions carry out their work at the state level, while also serving as a workforce engagement resource to support recruitment, outreach, and storytelling across commissions nationwide.

The video showcases perspectives from a diverse range of PUCO staff, including a hazardous materials investigator, chief of the consumer services division, field operation manager, administrative law judge, and utilities administrator.

Watch the video here.

$2.9 million approved for rail upgrades

On January 7, the PUCO approved $1.9 million in safety upgrades at rail crossings in four Ohio counties:

• Napoleon, Defiance & Western Railway will install lights and gates in Paulding County.
• Kanawha River Railroad will install lights and gates in Fairfield County. 
• Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad will install flashing lights and gates in Wayne County.
• Ann Arbor Railroad will upgrade the lights, gates, and install cantilevers in the city of Toledo, Lucas County. 

Read more about these upgrades here.

On January 22, the PUCO approved over $1 million in safety upgrades at rail crossings in three Ohio counties. 

• Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad will install flashing lights and gates in Harrison County. 
• Akron Barberton Cluster Railway will install flashing lights and gates in the city of Ravenna, Portage County.
• Ashland Railway will install flashing lights and gates in Ashland County.

Read more about these upgrades here.

Special reconnect order still available

The Special Reconnect Order is still in effect for the winter heating season. This annual program allows residential customers who have been disconnected—or are facing disconnection—to restore or maintain utility service by paying no more than $175.

Any Ohio residential customer served by a regulated utility company is eligible, regardless of income. No sign-up needed: just call your utility provider and ask for the Special Reconnect Order. 

More info about the order is available here.