Cleveland, OH
Cleveland area FirstEnergy customers can weigh in on proposed rate hike at PUCO hearing
CLEVELAND — FirstEnergy is asking the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio for a $190 million increase in what it charges customers for electric distribution.
That’s not for the energy you use but rather costs related to sending service to your home through their power lines.
Based on typical customer usage, it would mean a $13 a month increase for Cleveland area Illuminating Company customers or just over $150 a year. The rate hike for Ohio Edison customers would be less at $2.99 a month and Toledo Edison at $1.56.
As part of their review process, the PUCO is holding hearings on the rate hike request, where at least one of the five PUCO commissioners will be in attendance.
“So its consumers’ chance to be face to face with a PUCO commissioner, letting him or her know how the case would impact them,” said JP Blackwood of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, the state agency whose job it is to watch out for and represent Ohio consumers.
At a local public hearing, consumers can share their views face-to-face with at least one of the five PUCO commissioners who will decide on the case. Those who testify will have their comments included as evidence that the PUCO must consider in ruling on the utility’s request.
The three meetings slated are;
- Cleveland: 5 p.m., Thursday, April 3, 2025, Cleveland Public Library, Learning Commons Space, 325 Superior Ave., Cleveland, OH 44114,
- Akron: 6 p.m., Monday, April 7, 2025, Akron-Summit County Public Library, 60 S. High St., Akron, OH 44326.
- Toledo: 6 p.m., Monday, April 14, 2025, Board of Lucas County Commissioners, One Government Center, Suite 800, Toledo, OH 43604.
As part of their review process, the PUCO’s staff conducted their audit of the rate hike request, and they concluded that instead of a $190 million hike, a more modest $8.5 million jump was more appropriate. But the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel review of the application found that the PUCO should force FirstEnergy to cut its rates.
“Using the numbers from FirstEnergy’s application, just the information about how they’re providing the electricity they deliver and how they’re working,” said Blackwood. “We are proposing actually an $18 million decrease for Cleveland Illuminating Company rates and overall more than $100 million decrease for the entire rate case.”
In a statement Ma,ureen Willis, Agency Director of the Office of Consumers’ Counsel, said further, “instead of a $190 million distribution rate increase, the FirstEnergy utilities should be getting a haircut. Consumers’ electric utility bills are already packed with soaring transmission costs and rising energy prices. Affordability remains a key issue for Ohio families and businesses.”
Cavs center Thomas Bryant thought he had the rookie, until he didn’t.
Cleveland Cavaliers center Thomas Bryant learned the hard way that karma moves quicker than Donovan Mitchell in transition.
Bryant was on the wrong side of a replay after backing down Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel for a hook shot.
The journeyman center couldn’t resist an over-the-top celebration … so Bryant flexed his way downcourt, hitting the “too small” gesture at the 20-year-old. Then, gravity struck. Hard.
CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 22: Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets drives to the basket as Thomas Bryant #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers plays defense during the game on December 22, 2025 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
Bryant tripped over thin air, barrel-rolling across the hardwood as he ran back on defense. The Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse crowd went from cheers to raspberries … with the tumbling Bryant looking very small on the floor.
WATCH:
There’s no question Bryant wishes he were riding the same high that Kon has all season.
The rook is leading the Rookie of the Year race, averaging 19.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists. While Bryant celebrated his layup against a smaller defender, Knueppel celebrated his 100th made three-point shot in just 29 games.
Social media roasted the big man for celebrating too early. “Ball don’t lie is undefeated. Don’t disrespect the opponent when you’re ‘Thomas Bryant,’” one fan posted on X.
The 6-foot-10 vet, who inked a deal with Cleveland this offseason to add some interior muscle, is not expected to do much from the limited scorer.
Go for the fist pump next time, pal.
Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela
What: Charlotte Hornets (9-19) (3-11 away) at Cleveland Cavaliers (15-14) (9-8 home)
When: 7:00pm Eastern
Where: Rocket Arena; Cleveland, OH
How to watch: Peacock, FanDuel Sports Network, NBA League Pass
Outfitting: Hornets–Statement (purple), Cavaliers–City (orange)
Game Lines: Hornets +9.5, Hornets money line +310, O/U 238.5
Injuries:
Hornets: LaMelo Ball-probable (wrist), Ryan Kalkbrenner-questionable (elbow), Collin Sexton-doubtful (quad), Grant Williams-out (knee)
Cavaliers: Donovan Mitchell-probable (illness), Craig Porter Jr.-probable (illness), Sam Merrill-probable (hand), Evan Mobley-out (calf), Larry Nance Jr-out (calf), Max Strus-out (foot)
The Hornets are finally getting healthier (for now). LaMelo Ball clearly tweaked his wrist getting knocked over during a brutally physical game against the Pistons, but he seems to be no worse for the wear. Kalkbrenner apparently took a knock too, but he could still gut it out. Sexton probably isn’t playing, but the fact that he’s gone from out to doubtful means that he’s close. That leaves Grant Williams as the only remaining injured Hornet as he works back from the torn ACL he suffered last year. Knock on wood.
They should be feeling good about their chances tonight. They may have gotten drubbed by the Pistons, but they will remember that they beat this very seem Cavs team in this very same arena just eight days ago. Kon Knueppel led the way with 29 points while Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges chipped in decent games as well. And LaMelo didn’t even play. He’s only going to add to the offensive firepower.
The Cavs, meanwhile, played two games against the Bulls between that last meeting and now, and they lost them both by double digits. Both games followed roughly the same pattern. The Cavs were able to score just fine, but they had no answer for a Bulls offense that’s pretty mediocre. A Hornets team with LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel should have no problem scoring points. They’ll just need to keep Donovan Mitchell reasonably in check, and they have a chance to take another game in Cleveland.
Related
Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (15-14) vs Charlotte Hornets (9-19)
Where: Rocket Arena – Cleveland, OH
When: Monday, Dec. 22 at 7:00 pm EST
TV: Peacock, FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, FanDuel Sports App
Point spread: Not yet set
Cavs injury report: Donovan Mitchell – PROBABLE (illness), Sam Merrill – PROBABLE (hand), Craig Porter Jr. – PROBABLE (illness), Evan Mobley – OUT (calf), Larry Nance Jr. – OUT (calf), Max Strus – OUT (foot), Chris Livingston – OUT (G League), Luke Travers – OUT (G League)
Hornets injury report: LaMelo Ball – PROBABLE (WRIST), Ryan Kalkbrenner – QUESTIONABLE (elbow), Liam McNeeley – OUT (G League), Drew Peterson – OUT (G League), Antonio Reeves – OUT (G League), Collin Sexton – DOUBTFUL (quad), Grant Williams – OUT (knee)
Cavs expected starting lineup: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Jaylon Tyson, Dean Wade, Jarrett Allen
Hornets expected starting lineup: LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Kon Kneuppel, Miles Bridges, Ryan Kalkbrenner
Previous matchup: The Cavs lost in overtime to the Hornets on Dec. 14.
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