The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has announced that Northeast Ohio's new area code will be 436, replacing the 440 area code for new cell phone numbers starting on March 1. Existing 440 area code numbers will not change. The 440 area code is expected to run out of available numbers in the second half of the year. The new area code has sparked discussions about its significance and potential impact on the region, with some residents expressing pride in their existing area codes.
Samuel Randazzo, the former chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, has pleaded not guilty to charges related to bribery and embezzlement. He allegedly received over $4.3 million from FirstEnergy in exchange for favorable actions through PUCO proceedings. Randazzo is implicated in the FirstEnergy bribery and bailout scandal, which has led to the conviction of former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder. If convicted, Randazzo faces up to 20 years in prison. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted have been subpoenaed in a civil suit related to the scandal, although they are not accused of any wrongdoing.
Samuel Randazzo, the former chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to bribery and embezzlement. The indictment alleges that Randazzo received over $4.3 million from an energy company in exchange for providing favorable actions through PUCO proceedings. He is also accused of embezzling funds meant for an association of large, industrial energy users in Ohio. If convicted, Randazzo could face up to 20 years in prison.
AEP Ohio's nearly 30% rate increase on bills for a major portion of its customers has gone into effect. The increase comes after the latest competitive auction for electricity generation on March 7. The price increase will affect any AEP Ohio customer who is using the Standard Service Offer (SSO). Customers can choose who generates their electricity rather than accept the SSO price. AEP Ohio also offers assistance like payment extensions and different monthly payment plans for customers struggling with higher bills.
AEP Ohio is planning to raise electricity rates for many customers beginning in June due to factors such as global demand, global supply chain issues, and the war in Ukraine. The increased generation supply cost tacked on bills would not come back to the company as any form of profit. AEP customers can choose who generates their electricity rather than accept the SSO price and can review offers from electric generation suppliers on Energy Choice Ohio. The new rates will be in effect until May 2024.
FirstEnergy customers in Ohio will see their electricity bills nearly double in June due to the company having to buy expensive electricity on the open market. However, customers have the option to shop around for their electricity and find a new company from which to buy their electricity. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has a website called Energy Choice Ohio where customers can find a new supplier. PUCO also provides a list of questions to ask when calling a new supplier to understand the contract. FirstEnergy's Ohio utilities do not profit from the generation portion of a customer's bill.
