Smith Calls Attention to PUCO Audit

Today, state Senator Kent Smith (D-Euclid) released the following statement after the auditor of state published a performance audit of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). The report showed a 34% increase in consumer prices since 2022, a sizable reduction in proposed utility-scale projects, and a need to increase Ohio’s power generation capacity.

“This audit shows the consequences of the anti-competitive GOP policies that Statehouse Democrats have been fighting against for years," said Smith. "While Ohioans struggle to afford their skyrocketing utility bills, those Republican policies have stifled renewable energy development in our state at a time when demand is at an all-time high.”

The audit also contained routine organizational recommendations, suggested updates for pipeline legislation, and acknowledged the unprecedented electric demand due to an increase in energy-intensive data centers.

“Ohioans’ electricity prices are so high today because, for the last decade, GOP leaders have neglected the energy needs of our state to prioritize campaign contributions from investor-owned utilities by pushing anti-competitive policies. Ohioans deserve a legislature that is looking out for them, not monopoly electric utilities.”