Study: Electric Utility Riders, Subsidies Could Cost Ohio Billions

New research shows Ohio’s deregulated electricity markets have saved the state’s ratepayers nearly $24 billion over the past eight years, or roughly $3 billion a year. Conducted by researchers at The Ohio State University and Cleveland State University — and commissioned by the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) — the study shows that competition has driven down average electricity prices in deregulated Midwestern states, while their regulated peers have seen steady price increases.

Unfortunately, the research also finds that Ohio’s investor-owned utility companies are chipping away at those customer savings through the use of subsidies, surcharges, and riders. This is occurring as efforts have intensified to re-regulate electricity markets. See the whitepaper and executive summary. 8/12/2019