Grendell Disappointed by All-Electric Home Ruling

State Sen. Tim Grendell, R-18, an attorney, said he will continue to seek legal redress against FirstEnergy for breach of contract following a Public Utilities Commission of Ohio decision.

On Wednesday, PUCO issued a ruling which will continue discounted rates for all-electric homes through March 31, 2013. Then rate discounts will be phased out through 2018.

Homeowners had argued that they were promised that the discounts would be permanent. Grendell addressed that promise in a statement he released following the PUCO decision.

“By its decision this afternoon the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio ultimately condones FirstEnergy’s breach of its longstanding promises to over 300,000 all-electric homeowners in northern Ohio.  The PUCO’s decision (1) will be very costly to all-electric homeowners and (2) will result in lower property values, marketability problems, and reduced tax revenues for local schools and local governments," Grendell said.

"Moreover, the PUCO exceeded its jurisdiction by ruling on matters that should be decided by Ohio courts.  We will continue to fight for full protection of the all-electric homeowners. These homeowners are entitled to justice and they certainly did not receive justice today.”