Ohio lawmakers challenge FirstEnergy request to relax outage reliability standards as new HB 15 rules begin

Legislators urge regulators to keep tougher benchmarks for outages

Ohio lawmakers are pressing state utility regulators to reject a request by FirstEnergy to loosen electric reliability standards that can trigger corrective action when outages become too frequent or last too long. The pushback comes as House Bill 15—an energy and utility oversight package adopted in 2025—has taken effect and expanded expectations for outage transparency and performance.

A bipartisan group of legislators has asked the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to fully enforce the new reliability framework rather than approve changes sought by FirstEnergy for its Ohio utilities, including Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co., Ohio Edison and Toledo Edison. Lawmakers argue that weakening metrics would reduce accountability at a time when customers and local governments are demanding improved service after recurring disruptions.

What FirstEnergy is asking for, and where the case stands

In a pending PUCO proceeding, Case No. 24-1112-EL-ESS, FirstEnergy is seeking adjustments that legislators describe as allowing more outages in a year and additional time to restore service after outages. Lawmakers opposing the changes contend the request conflicts with the direction of HB 15, which was enacted to sharpen oversight of utility performance and provide more detailed reliability reporting.

PUCO has also been scrutinizing reliability issues at FirstEnergy’s Cleveland-area utility. In 2025, regulators issued a letter of probable non-compliance referencing equipment failures on poor-performing circuits, infrastructure risks during severe weather, and shortcomings in communications with customers and local governments during outages.

How House Bill 15 reshaped oversight

HB 15 became effective Aug. 14, 2025. Beyond its broader energy-policy provisions, the law added requirements intended to make reliability problems easier to identify and harder to mask within systemwide averages. The law’s framework emphasizes more granular reporting, including circuit-level information, and provides mechanisms for corrective action in areas with repeated outages or extended disruptions.

Lawmakers pressing PUCO to hold the line on standards have also asked regulators to require a public improvement plan with timelines and measurable targets, along with regular public progress reporting.

• Enhanced reliability reporting intended to pinpoint trouble circuits and recurring problems.
• Structured corrective-action expectations when outage frequency or duration crosses specified thresholds.
• More frequent public examination of utility investments through regular rate case reviews.

Broader regulatory backdrop: restitution and compliance after HB 6 scandal

The reliability dispute is unfolding amid continued regulatory fallout tied to the House Bill 6 corruption scandal. In November 2025, PUCO ordered FirstEnergy’s Ohio utilities to provide more than $250 million in restitution and penalties tied to misconduct and improper charges. In early January 2026, PUCO approved a settlement framework FirstEnergy said would deliver $275 million in restitution and refunds to customers and resolve multiple proceedings, including reviews of riders and spending practices.

The reliability case now before PUCO will test how aggressively Ohio’s updated oversight tools will be applied as the state seeks more reliable service and clearer accountability from its largest electric utilities.

PUCO is expected to continue evidentiary proceedings in the case in the coming weeks.