Rep. Brennan Praises Ohio Supreme Court Ruling Requiring Review of $61.1 Million in Excessive Utility Profits

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan (D-Parma) today applauded the unanimous ruling by the Ohio Supreme Court that found the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) unlawfully allowed AES Ohio to retain $61.1 million in excessive earnings rather than refunding consumers. 

The decision, which sided with the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC), requires PUCO to conduct a new analysis and potentially order full refunds to AES Ohio customers. 

“This ruling is a victory for fairness, accountability, and Ohio consumers,” said Rep. Brennan. “For years, I have called for utilities to refund excessive earnings back to the hardworking families who paid them. Today’s decision validates that advocacy and underscores the importance of strong oversight.” 

The Court determined PUCO wrongly permitted AES Ohio to offset excessive earnings with future infrastructure investments, despite no such authority existing in state law. Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy, writing for the Court, emphasized that Ohio law requires refunds when utilities collect significantly excessive profits. 

Rep. Brennan praised the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel for its persistence in the case: 

“I want to congratulate the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel for their tireless work on behalf of ratepayers. This is exactly why we need a strong consumer watchdog—to ensure that when utilities overcharge Ohioans, that money is returned where it belongs: in the pockets of consumers,” added Rep. Brennan.

The ruling sends the case back to PUCO for a new review. OCC has pledged to fight for the full $61.1 million refund for AES Ohio customers in the Dayton area. 

“Ohio families are struggling with the rising costs of everything from groceries to utilities,” concluded Rep. Brennan “They deserve relief—and I will continue advocating for refunds like this one to help hold big utilities accountable.”