Rep. Brennan Praises Ohio Consumers' Counsel for Standing Up for Ratepayers in Utility Audit Scandal

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan (D-Parma) today voiced strong support for Ohio Consumers’ Counsel Maureen Willis and her office’s efforts to hold the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) accountable for troubling audit practices that continue to undermine transparency and consumer protection.

“The people of Ohio deserve an energy regulatory system that works for them—not for the utilities,” said Rep. Brennan. “I commend Maureen Willis and the Consumers’ Counsel team for shedding light on practices that give utility companies an unfair advantage and keep Ohio consumers in the dark.”

A recent report revealed that PUCO staff have continued to pressure independent auditors to soften or remove language critical of utility companies, even after the scandal surrounding former PUCO Chair Sam Randazzo. In addition, utilities are often granted early access to draft audit reports—long before those reports are shared with the Consumers’ Counsel or the public—potentially in violation of state law.

“These audits are paid for by Ohioans through their utility bills, and they should reflect the truth—not a narrative shaped by those being audited,” said Rep. Brennan. “Allowing utilities to influence these reports behind closed doors erodes public trust and leads to outrageous outcomes, like the $456 million FirstEnergy collected from ratepayers with no improvements to show for it.”

Among the most troubling findings:

• Auditors were urged by PUCO staff to soften criticism of utilities such as FirstEnergy and AEP, with language altered at the suggestion of commission staff;
• Utilities like Duke Energy and AEP Ohio were found to have inappropriately influenced audit language yet still received PUCO approval to collect millions in customer fees; and
• Calls for reform from consumer advocates have gone unheeded, while concerns about “regulatory capture” and conflicts of interest within the PUCO continue to mount.

“I share the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel’s call for sweeping reforms,” continued Rep. Brennan. “We need independent oversight of utility audits, a ban on pre-publication review by the utilities themselves, and a firewall to prevent individuals who previously worked for utility companies from serving as PUCO commissioners. These are common-sense protections to restore public confidence.”

PUCO’s public statement dismissing these serious concerns as “misguided” or “intentionally untruthful” is, in Rep. Brennan’s view, deeply inappropriate.

“This isn’t about political sparring—it’s about the public’s right to fair rates, honest audits, and independent regulation,” concluded Rep. Brennan. “Dismissing the Consumers’ Counsel’s watchdog role only highlights the need for greater accountability.”

Rep. Brennan is exploring potential legislative remedies to strengthen transparency and oversight in utility regulation and invites colleagues from both sides of the aisle to join him in protecting Ohio consumers.