May 11, 2026
All the Work Matters: FirstEnergy Reliability
The Ohio Environmental Council’s energy team operates in a political landscape that often prioritizes fossil fuels and private utilities over a clean, reliable, and affordable energy system. Despite consistent effort from staff, partners, and members—often at the Statehouse or Public Utilities Commission—progress can be slow and setbacks common. Still, this work builds momentum over time, leading to meaningful change.
A major breakthrough arrived in 2026: for the first time, Ohio’s private utilities must report reliability performance using customer-specific metrics. These new rules require detailed data on where outages happen, how frequently they occur, and who is most affected. This shift is critical. OEC’s Grid Disparity report has shown that disadvantaged communities in Ohio disproportionately experience unreliable service and underinvestment. With more transparent data, advocates and policymakers can better identify inequities and push for targeted improvements.
2021: Energy Jobs and Justice
In 2021, the Energy Jobs and Justice Act launched as an ambitious effort to promote equitable, forward-thinking clean energy policy. Developed with partners like Black Environmental Leaders, the initiative emphasized utility accountability, energy justice, and rapid decarbonization. Though aspirational, it established a strong framework and vision that continues to guide advocacy efforts.
2022: Outages
In 2022, a severe outage in central Ohio exposed major flaws in the system. During a heat wave, many residents in the AEP Ohio territory lost power for up to three days. Rolling blackouts—implemented because the grid could not handle extreme conditions—sparked public outrage, especially as they disproportionately impacted low-income communities and communities of color. This moment underscored the urgent need for greater transparency and accountability.
In response, OEC experts, including attorney Karin Nordstrom and Energy Justice Fellow Dion Mensah, developed research and policy proposals to improve how utilities report reliability. They pushed for metrics that reflect customers’ real experiences rather than broad, aggregated data that obscures disparities.
2025: HB 15
In 2025, the OEC Action Fund and partners mobilized around sweeping energy legislation, which eventually became House Bill 15. Early on, we reached a pivotal moment—legislators wanted our ideas to suggest for this omnibus energy bill, and we were ready. Thanks to the groundwork laid over the last few years, the OEC Action Fund suggested language requiring location and customer-centric reliability reporting. That language was included in the final version of HB 15, legislation the OEC and OEC Action Fund worked tirelessly to improve and support, despite its flaws. This win will enable advocates, legislators, and local leaders to identify electric reliability trends in their regions, allowing them to better advocate for equitable investments in Ohio’s energy grid.
While challenges remain, this progress demonstrates that sustained effort matters. The work of OEC and its supporters continues to lay the foundation for a more equitable, transparent, and clean energy future in Ohio.
