FirstEnergy Must Repay Customers for HB 6 Lobbying

In the latest punitive action against FirstEnergy for its role in the House Bill 6 scandal, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has ordered the utility to submit a plan to refund Ohio customers for millions of dollars in lobbying costs tied to the nuclear bailout bill, which was vigorously opposed by the OMA.

According to media reports, FERC’s audit found “improper accounting caused FirstEnergy to overcharge customers and that the utility may have done so to conceal or mislead how much it was spending on lobbying and why.”

In its Feb. 9 editorial, The Toledo Blade wrote, “Refunds aren’t enough,” adding that reforms must be pursued “to make sure there are no more FirstEnergy-type scandals in the future.” 2/9/2022