The Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), in partnership with the, Ohio Manufacturers’ Association Energy Group (OMAEG) , has called the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to audit the $237 million that Ohioans paid to subsidize two "Eisenhower-era" coal plants in 2024 and 2025. The required utility charges — originally authorized by controversial House Bill 6 — are designated as a "Legacy Generation Resource Rider."

Following the OCC and OMAEG's August 1 joint filing, PUCO has ordered updated tariffs that remove the legacy generation charge, according to a statement from OCC. This, however, would only apply to the remaining 13 days that Ohioans are set to pay the charge; the legacy generation charges are scheduled to expire August 14.

There are no current plans to reimburse residents for the $237 million that has already been paid out over the last two years for the coal plant subsidies.

OCC and OMAEG has requested an audit of the $237 million that has already been collected by Ohioans but PUCO has not yet ruled on the request.

PUCO is required to audit consumers' Ohio Valley Electric Corporation (OVEC) charges in three-year intervals but critics, like OCC and OMAEG, say the commission's standards are not high enough.

"$237 million in charges to consumers is a lot of money. The PUCO should investigate these charges and return every dollar shown to be imprudent or unreasonable," OCC Agency Director Maureen Willis said in a statement.

PUCO's Director of Public Affairs, Matt Schilling reaffirmed that the legacy generation charges will end as of August 14, due to the passage of Ohio State House Bill 15. 

"We regularly audit these [charges] and I imagine we will continue to do so," Schilling told 21 News.