A new guest column in The Columbus Dispatch urged lawmakers to pass the Electricity Forecast Integrity Act, the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA)-backed legislation aimed at bringing greater accountability to electric load forecasting.

The piece noted OMA’s concerns that AEP has exaggerated future electricity demand and highlighted OMA’s leadership in a coalition supporting truth-in-forecasting reforms. The bipartisan legislation would require transparency, independent review and oversight before utility forecasts are used in planning decisions that can affect customer costs.

“Customers should not be asked to pay for demand that exists only on paper,” said Lindsey Short, OMA managing director of energy and advocacy services. “The Electricity Forecast Integrity Act is a commonsense step to require transparency, independent review and accountability before utility forecasts are used to justify major energy planning decisions.”

OMA has repeatedly warned that unverified forecasts can turn speculative demand into real costs for manufacturers and other customers. 6/18/2026