The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio denied Akron-based FirstEnergy’s request that the agency grant it more time to respond to electric outages and permit more outages per year.
“Looking first to customer perception, FirstEnergy notes that its (customer perception) survey results demonstrate that its proposed standards are in line with customer expectations,” the commission wrote in its June 25 opinion and order denying the request. “However, no other party in the case agrees with that assessment.”
The opinion and order stated that PUCO staff (who do not serve on the five-member commission), the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel and the Ohio Environmental Council “point out the significant outages in Lakewood and Barberton in the summer of 2025.”
The commission also wrote that there were an “unusual number of public comments filed in this proceeding, some from legislators and municipalities urging the Commission to reject FirstEnergy’s proposal.”
Addressing the commission’s decision through email, FirstEnergy spokesperson Brooke Conlan said, “We respect the PUCO’s thoughtful decision and will continue operating under the existing reliability standards. Our commitment to customers has not changed: we remain focused on restoring power as quickly and safely as possible and making the investments needed to strengthen the grid and improve reliability across Ohio.”
Ohio Consumers’ Counsel Maureen Willis said in a written statement, “Reliable electric service is essential to Ohioans’ health, safety, and daily lives. We appreciate the PUCO’s decision to reject FirstEnergy’s attempt to lower the reliability bar for its consumers.
“But consumers have already paid hundreds of millions of dollars for grid modernization. They deserve fewer and shorter outages, not weaker reliability standards. OCC will continue advocating for stronger reliability performance standards as soon as possible. Consumers have paid for a stronger grid. Now it’s time for FirstEnergy to deliver.”
Patrick Williams covers growth and development for the Akron Beacon Journal. He can be reached by email at pwilliams@usatodayco.com or on X @pwilliamsOH. Sign up for the Beacon Journal’s business and consumer newsletter, “What’s The Deal?”
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: PUCO rejects FirstEnergy ask to have more time to respond to outages
Reporting by Patrick Williams, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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By Patrick Williams, Akron Beacon Journal | USA TODAY Network
