To the Editor:
The final push to pass electric re-regulation took place in the last few weeks.  As the House Public Utilities Committee neared the finish line its membership underwent some changes.  Representative George Distel, the ranking Democrat retired on April 1, 2008, to accept a new position on the Ohio Turnpike Commission.  The "ranking" member is the leader of the Democrats on the committee and as such holds an important position.  To fill the void left by Representative Distel’s departure the Democrats named Representative Jennifer Garrison as the new ranking member.  This was a good choice as Representative Garrison was already on the committee and was well versed on the complex issues.  However, her promotion forced her to give up a ranking position on the House Juvenile and Family Law Committee.  I was selected to replace Representative Garrison as the ranking member on that committee.  I left the House Public Utilities Committee with mixed emotions.  I was leaving after months of study and at the eleventh hour of the electric re-regulation debate.

I can tell you the Governor and the Speaker of the House reached an impass that lasted several weeks.  The disagreement centered on the authority of the PUCO to determine if an electric utility was earning "excessive" profits at the expense of its customers.  The Governor supported the PUCO while the Speaker wanted to limit the commission’s power.  In the end the Governor prevailed and compromise language was agreed upon.

The final version of Sub. SB 221 came up for a vote and passed the House overwhelmingly.  It went on to the Senate for concurrence and was passed in that chamber as well.  I understand the Governor will sign the legislation into law this week.

After the legislative dust settles we will discover if our efforts to re-regulate Ohio ‘s electric producers works as intended.  Make no mistake, your rates will increase.  Costs are rising and companies raise rates to keep pace.  We hope the safeguards built into this legislation give the PUCO the oversight necessary to prevent rate shock and excessive profits.
The PUCO will now draft new rules to implement the specifics of this bill.

Mark D. Okey
State Representative
House District 61

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