Rep. McNally Releases Statement on SOBE Thermal Receivership Removal

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) today shared the following statement regarding the motion to remove the SOBE Thermal bankruptcy receiver, Reg Martin.

“I am disgusted by the way we have been treated in this crisis. The customers of SOBE have gone without reliable heat since September. Over the past six months, they have endured mismanagement, threats, loss of revenue, stonewalling, and a winter with 48 inches of snow and multiple below 0-degree days,” said Rep. McNally. “But thanks to the continued advocacy, coordination, and fight among business owners and my office, we finally got the PUCO and the state to start listening to what we need. I am ready to work closely with a new receiver and finally get downtown Youngstown back to normal.”

On February 11, 2026, The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and the Attorney General’s Office filed an unopposed motion to remove and replace Reg Martin as the receiver of SOBE Thermal Energy Systems, LLC. The motion states that the new receiver, John C. Collins, resides more locally and will be able to be present at the site more frequently.