Label
Opposing Toledo Edison’s Rate Increase Request
Sarantou, Komives, & Hobbs
Title
Resolution opposing Toledo Edison’s request to increase electric distribution rates and requesting that the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio deny the utility’s request, and declaring an emergency.
Summary
WHEREAS, the City of Toledo and its residents currently receive electric distribution service from Toledo Edison, and
WHEREAS, Toledo Edison has filed with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, in Case No. 24-468-EL-AIR, a request to increase the rates for electric distribution services it provides to consumers, including the residents of the City of Toledo, and
WHEREAS, Toledo Edison has proposed a distribution rate increase which, together with recent distribution increases, would, on average, increase Toledo residents’ monthly charge for electric distribution service, and
WHEREAS, Toledo Edison’s request follows its recent request (in Case No. 23-301-EL-SSO) to increase distribution rates through its electric security plan, with that request resulting in the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approving a significant increase in electric distribution rates charged to consumers over the next five years, and
WHEREAS, frequent increases in electricity rates negatively impact our efforts to attract new business and jobs, act to depress the housing market and place an undue burden on all residents, including the elderly, and those living on fixed incomes, and
WHEREAS, First Energy has a history of financial mismanagement and corruption involving its role in Ohio House Bill 6, which had resulted in federal indictments and financial penalties, and eroded consumer trust in First Energy and the State of Ohio, and
WHEREAS, An independent audit commissioned by the PUCO found that First Energy’s revenue requirements are overstated by nearly $35 million. The audit recommended a $27 million decrease in Toledo Edison’s revenue, which could lower our average consumer’s electric bill by $5.17, and
WHEREAS, First Energy reported strong profitability in 2024 under the current electricity rate; $978 million on revenue of $13.5 billion. A rate increase appears to situate First Energy more comfortably with their shareholders but not with the actual consumers of electricity in Toledo.
NOW THEREFORE, Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1: That this Council and the Administration do hereby oppose Toledo Edison’s proposal to increase rates for electric distribution service to Toledo residents and request that the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio deny such a rate increase to consumers.
SECTION 2: That the Clerk of this Council is hereby authorized and directed to forward a certified copy of this Resolution to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, Attn: Docketing Division (Case No.24-468-EL-AIR), 180 E. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio 43215-3793 and that a copy of this Resolution be recorded in the minutes of this meeting.
SECTION 3: That it is found and determined that all formal actions of this Council concerning and relating to the adoption of this Resolution were adopted in an open meeting of this Council, and that all deliberations of this Council and any of its committees that resulted in such formal action, were in meetings open to the public, in compliance with all legal requirements, including Section 121.22 of the Ohio Revised Code.
SECTION 4: That this Resolution hereby is declared to be an emergency measure and shall be in force and effect from and after its adoption. The reason for the emergency lies in the fact that same is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety and property, and for the further reason that this Resolution must be immediately effective so that the expressed opposition of this Council can be fully communicated to the Public Utilites Commission of Ohio prior to their deliberations on this issue.
Vote on emergency clause: yeas _____, nays _____.
Adopted _________________, as an emergency measure: yeas _____, nays _____.
Attest: ________________________ __________________________________
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: _____________________ __________________________________
Mayor
I hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of an Ordinance passed by Council ________________________.
Attest: ________________________
Clerk of Council