The Columbus Dispatch does a great job reporting on FirstEnergy’s recent success with the staff at the PUCO, which gave support to FirstEnergy’s Power Purchase Agreement that guarantees profits to the utility from aging power plants for eight years. Critics have blasted the PPA as costly, unnecessary, and it would set a terrible precedent. The article can be read seen here: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2015/12/03/firstenergy-profit-guarantee-proposal-criticized.html
On balance, FirstEnergy has the right and the obligation to ensure its profitability, and they are saying that they will invest in clean energy along with other concessions. However, there appears to be legitimate concern from organizations critical of the PPA. We encourage complete transparency on FirstEnergy’s part to help all of us understand how this PPA will benefit us as customers of FirstEnergy.