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PUCO Spreads FirstEnergy’s $245 Million Storm Costs Over 25 Years, Trimming Annual Charges

Audits will test whether FirstEnergy’s $245 million in storm-repair spending is necessary and reasonable.

Overview

  • Ohio regulators replaced a five-year amortization with a 25-year schedule, cutting annual storm-related collections to about $9.8 million from roughly $49 million.
  • New base-rate changes take effect March 1: estimated monthly shifts for a 1,000 kWh residential customer are +$11.60 for the Illuminating Company, +$2.88 for Ohio Edison, and −$3.75 for Toledo Edison.
  • The order revises revenue outcomes, moving from a previously approved net $34 million annual increase to a $6.3 million annual decrease across FirstEnergy’s Ohio utilities.
  • PUCO said it will review and audit the storm-cost spending to ensure the charges are appropriate.
  • The Ohio Consumers’ Counsel welcomed lower yearly charges but warned the longer payoff could raise total lifetime costs, and FirstEnergy said it is reviewing the ruling.