Ohio’s electric utilities want more control over power generation, electricity customers are facing billions in rising costs, and lawmakers are weighing proposals that could make matters worse. Those mounting threats took aim at manufacturers’ bottom lines Tuesday as the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) Energy Committee convened amid a changing political landscape and renewed battles over who pays for Ohio’s energy future.

PJM’s four most recent capacity auctions will cost electricity customers more than $63 billion, yet less than 0.5% of the capacity clearing the latest auction came from new generation. Committee discussions examined inflated data center demand forecasts, skyrocketing transmission costs and legislation that could reopen the door to utility-owned power generation. Also under scrutiny was the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio’s recent approval of up to $205 million in disputed costs tied to aging, uneconomical coal plants.

“Manufacturers are getting hit with higher electricity costs while utilities keep finding new ways to shift their financial risks onto customers,” said Lindsey Short, OMA managing director of advocacy and energy services. “We’ve seen what happens when regulators accept inflated forecasts and questionable spending without enough scrutiny. Ohio has a chance to change course, but that means demanding accountability instead of handing utilities another blank check.”

With lawmakers returning for lame duck session and Gov.-elect Amy Acton preparing to take office, the stakes are rising. OMA is pressing for independent verification of utility demand forecasts, stronger oversight of transmission spending and protections against shifting speculative data center costs onto existing customers. The coming weeks could determine whether Ohio strengthens its competitive electricity market or gives monopoly utilities new opportunities to profit at customers’ expense. 11/10/2026