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OCC Annual Report 2025

Highlights

  • $400+ Million in Consumer Savings Secured
    OCC achieved a major victory for Ohio consumers when the U.S. Supreme Court denied utilities’ petitions for review of OCC’s victory at the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. The decision eliminates an unnecessary profits adder for Ohio electric utilities, securing more than $400 million in savings through 2031. Additional savings are expected in future years. 
     
  • $276 Million in Restitution from FirstEnergy 
    After six years of advocacy by OCC, the PUCO approved a settlement requiring FirstEnergy to pay $276 million to consumers for its misconduct in the House Bill 6 scandal. The settlement delivers $25 million more for consumers than the amount originally ordered by the PUCO.
     
  • Coal Subsidies Ended and Electric Security Plans Eliminated
    OCC’s leadership and policy advocacy helped secure enactment of House Bill 15, landmark legislation that eliminated pro-utility electric security plans (ESPs) and ended costly coal subsidies provided to the Ohio utilities.
     
  • Greater Transparency and Accountability at the PUCO
    OCC’s advocacy led the PUCO to change its long-standing practice of giving utilities early access to draft “independent” audit reports before they are filed in the public docket – strengthening transparency and reducing the potential for undue utility influence.
     
  • Consumers Protected from Data Center Infrastructure Costs
    OCC helped secure a PUCO-approved settlement among AEP, OCC, and others that protects consumers from bearing the infrastructure costs of data centers. 
     
  • Up to $82 Million in Potential Refunds for AES Ohio Consumers
    OCC successfully appealed a PUCO order that allowed AES Ohio to retain excessive profits charged to consumers. The decision paved the way for consumer refunds of up to $82 million. 
     
  • Expanded Consumer Outreach and Education
    OCC expanded its digital outreach in 2025, posting across five social media platforms and launching its Facebook page. OCC also launched its electronic consumer newsletter, increasing access to consumer alerts, case updates, and assistance information. 
     
  • National Leadership in Consumer Advocacy
    OCC hosted the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA) 2025 Mid-Year Meeting, and participated in several panels, including NASUCA – The Original Story, presented by the Consumers’ Counsel and three of her predecessors.
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