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A Conservative Think Tank Applauds the Federal Decision on Ohio Utility Subsidies

photo of power transmission lines
WIKIMEDIA

It’s not every day that a group known for defending the free market celebrates federal intervention. But a conservative group in Ohio is saying the feds made the right choice by blocking a temporary rate hike plan from and .  

The conservative think tank the is happy that the put a stop to what they call rate-payer subsidies for AEP and FirstEnergy.

The utilities were going to use the money to pay for coal and nuclear plants that aren’t doing well in the wholesale market.

The Buckeye Institute’s Joe Nichols says companies know that if they want to be deregulated then they’re committing to the market, which means there’s risk involved.

“What Ohio is trying to do is say, 'Just put that risk from the company to ratepayers.' And FERC is saying, 'That’s not how things work;we’re not going to stand for that.'”

FirstEnergy and AEP are now expected to push the state for re-regulation.

Andy Chow is a general assignment state government reporter who focuses on environmental, energy, agriculture, and education-related issues. He started his journalism career as an associate producer with ABC 6/FOX 28 in Columbus before becoming a producer with WBNS 10TV.