An Ohio audit found electricity prices rose 34% since 2022 and said regulators fell short on rate-case deadlines, collecting complete operational data and planning for future demand. FirstEnergy customers in Lakewood and other communities report repeated outages.
The review, led by State Auditor Keith Faber’s team, was required under 2025’s House Bill 15, which also introduced transparency rules for the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). The audit said PUCO was not adequately prepared for future power needs amid expanding data centers and new legal obligations.
FirstEnergy sent customers a September letter apologizing for outages and outlining plans to improve service. Lakewood resident Don Nottage said people lost money and property and businesses lost workdays. State Rep. Adam Mathews said lawmakers still need to decide data centers’ role in Ohio’s energy future and argued companies that add system costs should pay them rather than pass them on to residents.
