{"id":6474,"date":"2026-09-25T06:42:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-25T11:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ohenergyratings.com\/blog\/?p=6474"},"modified":"2026-09-23T17:44:00","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T22:44:00","slug":"occ-asks-ferc-to-decide-shelved-power-line-case-now-worth-10-billion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ohenergyratings.com\/blog\/occ-asks-ferc-to-decide-shelved-power-line-case-now-worth-10-billion\/","title":{"rendered":"OCC Asks FERC to Decide Shelved Power Line Case Now Worth $10 Billion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When Will FERC Decide 3 Year Old Case?<\/h2>\n\n\n
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The Ohio Consumers’ Counsel asked the FERC to decide on a complaint it filed 3 years ago. Learn how the OCC case may cut future electric bills.<\/em><\/center><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) works to keep Ohio electricity rates<\/a> reasonable and fair. Part of their job includes filing complaints with regulators over rates and policies they deem unfair. However, one complaint over a power line case has gone undecided for about three years. Since that time, the project cost to Ohio electric customers has grown to over $10 billion<\/a>. So, now the OCC is asking federal officials to decide on the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The OCC $10 Billion Complaint<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Back in September, 2023, the OCC filed a complaint (docket EL23-105<\/a>) with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). At that time, the case involved costs to consumers for local power line projects costing over $6.5 billion. The regional grid operator, PJM Interconnection, identified these as “supplemental projects”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In its filing, the OCC argues that FERC’s Order No. 890 states that grid operators have responsibilities for both regional and local transmission planning processes. Yet the OCC points out that PJM reviews the need for and cost effectiveness only for regional power lines. PJM will only review a local project if it affects regional power line costs and needs. The OCC also argues that PJM assumes that state regulators protect consumer interests for the need, prudence and cost of power lines. But at the time, the state had no way to assure Ohio consumers<\/a> of just and fair rates from local power line projects below 100,000 volts (100 kV).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, local power line projects in Ohio avoid a cost effectiveness review<\/a>. So, their cost and their need by the utility are fixed in place before local stakeholders have their say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Does This OCC Complaint Matter?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

All of this means that Ohio electric customers see higher costs on their bills without any regulator’s input. Therefore, the OCC is asking the FERC to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n