Ohio Democrats propose utility rate freeze, consumer dividend
Ohio House Democrats want to freeze utility rates for 12 months and give every customer a $150 annual electric bill credit, funded by raising the state's oil and gas severance tax to 7%.
Energy
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Ohio blocks big solar farm, despite apparently fake public comments
Ohio regulators denied a permit for the Crossroads Solar project in Morrow County, citing local opposition — even though many comments against it were found to be duplicated or faked. Critics say the process gives fossil fuels preferential treatment.
Trump is forcing coal plants to stay open. It could cost customers billions.
The Trump administration is using emergency powers to block coal plant retirements across multiple states — a move consumer advocates say is unprecedented, likely illegal, and could cost ratepayers up to $6 billion annually.
Documents contradict Husted testimony in FirstEnergy bribery trial
Sen. Jon Husted testified under oath that he had no knowledge of Sam Randazzo's financial ties to FirstEnergy — but a nearly 200-page document sent directly to Husted before Randazzo's appointment warned otherwise.
Ohio corruption trial traces tactics to prop up nuclear and coal plants
Trial of 2 former FirstEnergy executives in Akron centers on bribery, money laundering, and the corrupt passage of HB 6 — a law Ohio customers have paid more than $400 million to fund.
Iran war drives gas price uncertainty ahead of busy summer season
The national average gas price has climbed above $3 a gallon for the first time this year as rising oil prices and tensions involving Iran push fuel costs higher.
Despite law barring utilities from owning power plants, Ohio lawmaker mulls a carveout for nuclear
A draft proposal would let Ohio utilities build nuclear plants, raising concerns about shifting costs to ratepayers and reversing bipartisan reforms meant to prevent another HB 6-style bailout.
Husted backed the corrupt HB 6 bailout. Ohio households now pay $663 more a year.
Records link Sen. Jon Husted to Ohio’s HB 6 scandal as electric bills climb $663 a year since 2019. The issue is emerging as a key factor in the 2026 Senate race.
AEP Ohio says new data center tariff is working, critics aren’t buying it
AEP Ohio says its new data center tariff reduced projected demand from 30,000 MW to 5,700 MW, but manufacturers challenge the forecasts and warn of higher costs for ratepayers.
How deregulation made electricity more expensive in Ohio and the nation, not cheaper
New Ohio State research finds electricity deregulation and limited auction competition are driving higher residential power costs in Ohio and beyond.
Climate, health groups challenge EPA repeal of major greenhouse gas regulation
Public health and environmental groups are challenging the Trump administration’s repeal of the EPA’s greenhouse gas endangerment finding, arguing it violates the Clean Air Act.
A new Ohio bill could be a de facto statewide ban on solar and wind
Senate Bill 294 would redefine “reliable” and “clean” energy in Ohio, a move critics say favors fossil fuels, raises costs and threatens wind and solar development.
Trump administration completes rollback of Obama-era greenhouse gas regulations
President Donald Trump repealed the EPA’s 2009 endangerment finding, limiting federal authority to regulate greenhouse gases and prompting swift backlash and legal threats from Democrats.
Are faked public comments about to tank an Ohio solar farm?
Ohio may block a $98M solar farm after local opposition — despite evidence many public comments were fake, raising concerns about how energy projects are decided.
With electricity bills rising, some states consider new data center laws
As electricity bills rise, states are targeting data centers with higher rates and stricter rules to prevent their massive energy demands from driving up costs for households and small businesses.
What a fracking-waste dispute says about Ohio’s energy double standard
Opponents say Ohio law gives communities little power to stop new fracking waste injection wells, even as the state allows local governments to block solar and wind projects.
Texas-based company approved to frack more than 170 acres of wildlife area in eastern Ohio
Ohio regulators approved a fracking lease at Leesville Wildlife Area and advanced more public lands for bidding, despite strong public opposition and environmental concerns.
The Ohio public pays the price for Big Tech’s data centers
As Big Tech expands AI data centers, Ohio and the nation face higher energy bills, strained power grids, and growing climate and consumer costs, according to new reporting.
After Ohio’s landmark decisions on HB 6 utility scandal, what’s next?
Ohio regulators ordered FirstEnergy to pay about $250 million for HB 6 corruption violations, including major customer refunds, while leaving advocates pressing for deeper accountability and future rate scrutiny.
FirstEnergy seeks looser reliability rules as outages grow more common
FirstEnergy has asked Ohio regulators to relax power reliability standards, citing extreme weather. Consumer advocates warn the move could mean longer outages despite prior grid upgrade costs.
