The History of Ohio Electricity Deregulation
Before Ohio implemented energy deregulation, residents got their electricity and gas from the state’s Investor-Owned Utilities (IOU). In fact, the four biggest companies: AEP Ohio, Dayton Power & Light, Duke Energy, and First Energy, controlled the generation of power in the state.
In 2001, Senate Bill 3 allowed Ohio consumers to compare electricity providers and choose a plan from a set of providers. The bill required energy providers to give a 5 percent residential rate reduction. The law also implemented a price freeze on power until 2005. This was decided to give the market time to grow.
Today, residents of Ohio can now freely choose to get their energy from certified retailers instead of automatically getting the power from the utility company in their area. Depending on their budget and usage, customers may select a pricing plan from electricity providers in their area.
Public utility companies still maintain the gas and electric lines in different communities. While the electrical providers may use the same lines, the suppliers aren’t responsible for maintenance.
Quick Facts about Energy in Ohio
- An abundance of coal. 85% of Ohio’s energy in 2019 came from coal. The remaining percent comes from the state’s two nuclear power plants.
- No cap on greenhouse gas. Unlike other states with deregulated energy laws, Ohio does not require its residents to help in capping greenhouse gas.
- MRGGRA Observer. Ohio is an observer of the Midwestern Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord. It comprises six American governors and a Canadian Premier, and their main goal is to enact a cap-and-trade scheme by lowering carbon fuel standards. As an observer, Ohio is not bound to the same agreements as the actual members.
- No renewable fuel in gasoline. Ohio does not require its gasoline to be mixed with renewable energy. But they do require reformulated gasoline for the residents of the Cincinnati metropolitan area.
- No Appliance efficiency standard. Ohio does not implement an appliance efficiency standard for businesses. This standard is implemented to ensure that the appliances used like freezers in establishments do not waste energy in other states.
Electric Suppliers in Ohio
There are a total of five energy distributors in the state of Ohio. Each is assigned to a specific area in the state, and these are:
First Energy Ohio
First Energy Ohio has more than 1.8 million customers and is responsible for the energy supply of Northern and Central Ohio.
Address: 76 S Main St, Akron, OH 44308
Contact: (800) 633-4766
American Electric Power Ohio
AEP Ohio, or American Electric Power, serves more than 1.5 million people in Ohio, and it continues to grow.
Address: 301 Cleveland Ave SW, Canton, OH 44702
Contact: (800) 672-2231
Columbia Gas of Ohio
Columbia Gas of Ohio offers its services from side to side, namely from the Eastern side of Ohio to the Western side, including Trumbull County and portions of Scioto County.
Address: Columbia Gas of Ohio
P.O. Box 2318
Columbus, OH 43216-2318
Contact: (800) 344-4077
Duke Energy
Duke Energy is a company that provides gas and electricity service to Ohio residents living in the southwestern portions of Ohio.
Address: Duke Energy
1000 E Main Street
Mail Drop WP 890
Plainfield, IN 46168
Contact: (800) 544-6900
AES Ohio
Formerly Dayton Power and Light, AES Ohio is responsible for generating and delivering power to over 500,000 customers in the southwestern part of Ohio. It offers a combination of sustainable energy and fossil fuels.
Address: P.O. Box 1247 Dayton, Ohio
Contact: (800) 433-8500
Map of US Energy Deregulation
Ohio is one of 26 US States that have some form of energy deregulation whether it be electricity, natural gas or both. Use our interactive map to get more information on deregulated energy states in America.