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A consumer advocacy group is filing a complaint with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), calling on state regulators to allow for refunds of a new charge on customers’ electric bills that would subsidize coal plans under House Bill 6.
The Citizens Utility Board of Ohio says FirstEnergy ratepayers are sending $1 million a month to two coal plants, one in Gallia County and the other in Madison, Ind. Each customers pays about $0.58 month for the subsidy.
The advocates are asking PUCO to create a legal mechanism in order to refund those charges because the coal plant subsidies are part of HB6, which was allegedly passed through a bribery scheme, Citizens Utility Board of Ohio spokesman Tom Bullock said.
"We're pulling on one thread here and they all go back to the source which is that you have public policy driven to benefit the utility perspective and that wasn't balanced appropriately with consumers and other energy users," Bullock said.
The proposed refunding mechanism would only go into effect if lawmakers repeal HB6.
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