On Wednesday, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) approved a FirstEnergy Ohio settlement providing compensation for utility customers affected by FirstEnergy's violation of Ohio law. 

As part of the order, the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, the Ohio Edison Company and the Toledo Edison Company will provide $249 million in restitution to customers over three billing periods and an additional $20 million to fund low-income programs.

According to a news release, the companies will also refund $6.6 million and roughly $6.2 million in interest for improper charges. The agreement also includes $5 million in restitution to the Retail Energy Supply Association for violations of corporate separation regulations.

The fines stem from the PUCO investigation regarding FirstEnergy's payment of $61 million in bribes to ensure the passage of Ohio's House Bill 6 in 2019.

“Five years ago, OCC asked the PUCO to investigate FirstEnergy’s role in the House Bill 6 scandal. Today, those investigations are complete.  FirstEnergy broke the law. This settlement delivers consequences – and consumers get the relief.  Accountability matters. The Law matters. Consumers come first," Maureen Willis, agency director of the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, stated.

In November, PUCO ordered FirstEnergy to pay $250.7 million for violating Ohio law, PUCO regulations and PUCO orders. In December, PUCO then ordered, in place of November orders, $276 million in consumer restitution, including $20 million toward helping low-income Ohioans with utility bill payments

"This order brings finality to these four cases and most importantly, returns these dollars to the FirstEnergy customers," PUCO Chair Jenifer French stated.

The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, the Ohio Edison Company and the Toledo Edison Company are owned by FirstEnergy.