Randazzo Resigns From PUCO As HB 6 Scandal Adds Another Chapter

Last Friday’s (Nov. 20) resignation of Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) Chair Sam Randazzo topped off an active week as the House Bill 6 scandal continues to unfold.

Randazzo’s resignation came less than a week after FBI agents searched his home, and less than 24 hours after FirstEnergy disclosed that its former CEO and two other senior executives were fired after it was learned that a $4.3 million payment was made in January 2019 to end a consulting agreement with a company tied to a person who soon after was appointed to regulate Ohio utilities. Randazzo was not named in the disclosure.

PUCO Vice Chair M. Beth Trombold will serve as acting chair, while the PUCO Nominating Council prepares to identify a list of finalists for Randazzo’s permanent replacement. This development will be covered in depth at the upcoming OMA Energy Committee meeting on Dec. 2. 11/23/2020