Majority of Northeast Ohio electric customers could see hefty increase to bill in 2027

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) -FirstEnergy is asking the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) for a three year rate hike to improve its transmission capabilities beginning in 2027.

This is not about charging more for the electricity it produces, its an increase to pay for transmitting power through their utility polls, wires, and and to pay for maintenance on FirstEnergy’s system.

So while many may be buying their electricity from another provider, this would be an increase to all who get power delivered by one of FirstEnergy’s three electric companies; The Illuminating Company, Ohio Edison and Toledo Edison.

The rate increase request are as follows:

• Ohio Edison – average annual increase of 2.2%, or a monthly bill increase of $4.26 each year of the three-year period. 
• The Illuminating Company – average annual increase of 2.6%, or a monthly bill increase of $5.15 each year of the three-year period. 
• Toledo Edison – average annual increase of 2.8%, or a monthly bill increase of $5.30 each year of the three-year period. 

But those increases are every month, and then again every year.

So for example, an Illuminating customer would pay an extra $5.15 a month in the first year.

At the start of the second year, they would be allowed to add another $5.15 a month meaning an extra $10.30 that before the rate increase.

In the third year, another $5.15 would be added for a total monthly increase of $15.45 a month more than what someone was paying before the rate increase.

“This plan supports the investments needed to strengthen the electric system and improve reliability, while giving customers more visibility into the work we’re doing and helping avoid sudden increases that can be difficult for families and businesses to absorb,” said Torrence Hinton, President of FirstEnergy Ohio.

The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) is a statewide legal representative for Ohio’s residential consumers who is looking into the proposal to see if it’s justified.

“For many Ohio families, utility bills are already difficult to afford. Additional increases come as consumers continue facing higher costs for food, housing, gasoline, and other essentials,” the OCC’s website states. “Consumers deserve to know whether any proposed increase is truly necessary and reasonably priced.”

Ultimately FirstEnergy plans to spend $800 million per year on its distribution system and another $83 million annually on tree trimming.

The rate increase would need to be approved by the PUCO board after public hearings.

While there are no public hearings scheduled as of yet, consumers can submit comments online here.