June 24, 2026

OEC Applauds PUCO’s Denial of FirstEnergy’s Ask for Lower Reliability Expectations

For Immediate Release:  

June 24, 2026   

Contact:  

Karlena Wallace, Communications Director  

media@theoec.org 614-487-7506  

OEC Applauds PUCO’s Denial of FirstEnergy’s Ask for Lower Reliability Expectations 

  

Columbus, Ohio — Today, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) denied FirstEnergy’s request to weaken its minimum standards for reliability when delivering energy to customers. This decision makes it clear: Ohio utilities cannot achieve record profits while offering worse service to customers. The Ohio Environmental Council intervened in this case, arguing to maintain or strengthen the existing standards and increase transparency for FirstEnergy’s reliability reporting.   

In support of this argument, the OEC presented evidence that disadvantaged communities are more likely to be served by older, lower-voltage, and lower-capacity circuits. This older, less resilient infrastructure limits a neighborhood’s ability to support clean energy, electrification, or meet growing demand. Notably, the PUCO decision cited the OEC’s Grid Disparity Report as justification for maintaining the current reliability standards.   
 

The OEC applauds the Commission’s rejection of FirstEnergy’s request to relax standards and accountability. We will continue to call on utilities to provide Ohioans with reliable, affordable, and clean energy. 

The following quote can be attributed, in whole or in part, to Karin Nordstrom, Senior Attorney for Clean Energy for the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC):  

“The Commission’s decision today affirms that utilities cannot use poor past performance to get looser reliability requirements, while simultaneously increasing rates and profits. The reliability experiences of all customers are relevant when setting the minimum standards a utility must meet. The OEC hopes this decision is the beginning of increased transparency for FirstEnergy’s customers and increased accountability for its failures to meet minimum reliability.” 

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The Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) protects the environment and health of all Ohio communities through legal and policy advocacy, decision-maker accountability, and civic engagement.