The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association this week appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court, asking justices to overturn the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio’s (PUCO) approval of a data center-specific energy tariff. The OMA says the plan unfairly discriminates against high-use customers and puts manufacturers at a competitive disadvantage.

“The PUCO has rigged the scales, greenlighting utility discrimination and setting a precedent that could be used to hammer manufacturers and weaken Ohio’s economic edge,” said OMA President Ryan Augsburger in a statement. “This fight isn’t about one tariff. It’s about fairness, justice and restoring balance for the future of Ohio manufacturing.”

The OMA argues the decision relies on speculative concerns raised by American Electric Power and undermines long-standing principles of fair, nondiscriminatory energy policy. The association is urging the court to restore fairness and protect manufacturers from policies that raise costs and distort Ohio’s energy markets. 11/3/2025