PUCO Opens Investigation Into FirstEnergy’s HB 6 Spending

Last week, the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) requested that the PUCO launch an investigation into FirstEnergy’s political spending to determine if the company used money collected from consumers in its activities associated with the nuclear bailout, House Bill 6.

This week, the PUCO opened a review of FirstEnergy’s political and charitable spending related to HB 6 and the subsequent referendum effort. While this action is more limited than the OCC request, the PUCO directed FirstEnergy to show cause by Sept. 30 that the cost of these activities were not included, directly or indirectly, in any rates or charges paid by customers. The PUCO did not issue a ruling on OCC’s other motions, including the request to re-open the Distribution Modernization Rider audit case.

Interested parties will have an opportunity to file comments on FirstEnergy’s response by Oct. 29 and reply to comments by Nov. 13. 9/17/2020