Rep. Brent Applauds PUCO Settlement Returning Hundreds of Millions to Ohioans Hurt by House Bill 6

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Juanita O. Brent (D-Cleveland) today applauded the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) settlement that requires FirstEnergy return roughly $250M to Ohioans impacted by the House Bill (HB) 6 scandal, a $60M dark money bribery scheme that federal authorities later described as “one of the largest public corruption conspiracies in Ohio history.”

“For too long, everyday Ohioans have paid the price for corruption they did not create,” said Rep. Brent. “I voted NO for House Bill 6 which was bad policy, rooted in corruption, and Ohio families felt it every month when they opened their utility bills. Today’s action does not undo the damage - but it is an important step toward justice and making people whole.”

Under the settlement approved by PUCO: 

• Customers will receive $249M in restitution over three billing periods;  
• $20M will support low-income energy assistance programs;  
• $6.6M plus interest will be refunded for improper charges; 
• $5M will be paid for violations of corporate separation rules; and  
• All pending rehearing requests will be withdrawn, bringing finality to the investigation.