State Rep. Tristan Rader, as Energy Committee Ranking Member, Reacts to Ohio Power Company v. Nationwide Energy Partners LLC Ruling on Behalf of Ohio House Energy Committee Democrats

COLUMBUS – Ohio House Energy Committee Democrats today applauded the decision of the Ohio Supreme Court that declares submetering companies’ public utilities. Now, companies like Nationwide Energy Partners (NEP) will be under the purview of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).

This decision is a long-overdue measure to protect renters from what is often described as a predatory pricing structure. Today’s ruling will also guarantee additional protections that Ohioans who are serviced by regulated public utilities receive, such as disconnection protections and mandatory public comment periods on rate increases.

While the Legislature has made attempts over the years to impose requirements on submetering companies, this ruling validates what tenants and consumer advocates have been saying for years: submetering companies must be subject to the same oversight and customers of these companies deserve the same protection.

This ruling mirrors legislation introduced by State Reps. Sean Patrick Brennan (D–Parma) and Tex Fischer (R-Boardman), which would amend the Ohio Revised Code to explicitly regulate energy resellers as public utilities.

We look forward to seeing the PUCO take swift action to comply with this ruling.