As Governor, Nan Will Take Action to Lower Ohioans’ Energy Costs

As prices continue to rise across Ohio from gas to food to utilities and rent, Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley is calling on Governor DeWine to take immediate action to lower Ohioans’ energy bills. As Governor, everything Nan will do will be oriented with three things in mind: to make Ohioans’ bills go down, their pay go up, and government work for them.

As we approach the coldest winter months, many Ohioans will face increasingly costly energy bills. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects that U.S. households will spend more money on heating costs this winter and will consume more energy to keep homes warm due to a combination of limited energy supply and cold weather.

Households in the Midwest that use natural gas to heat their homes are forecasted to pay as much as 45% more this winter compared to last year. In Ohio, where roughly 65% of households use natural gas to heat their homes, this increase is particularly concerning. And for the 25% of Ohioans that use electricity to heat their homes, electricity prices are expected to rise by 4.9% to $1,346 this winter. The rise in heating bills in Ohio is truly a public emergency.

What’s more, Ohio is one of only a handful of states in the country without an explicit, enforceable law outlawing price gouging, making it possible for companies to charge unfair, unduly high prices for basic necessities.

That’s why Nan is calling on Governor DeWine to take the following actions to help lower Ohioans’ bills and make sure no one has to go without heat or electricity during the winter months:

1. Impose a moratorium on utility shutoffs during the winter months. Done via Executive Order, this would prevent utility shutoffs through April 30, 2022 for families up to 200% of the federal poverty level (individuals making $25,000 or less, or families of four making $53,000 or less).
2. Instruct the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to take action so that no Ohioan goes without power this winter by: Providing funding to the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel to establish a helpline for Ohioans who face utility shutoffs and emergencies; and Helping more Ohioans access the Percentage of Income Payment Program (PIPP) by increasing income eligibility from 150% to 250% of the federal poverty level, making it easier for middle class Ohioans to afford their utility bills as the post-pandemic economy recovers.
3. Utilize all current program benefits from the federal government that help Ohioans pay for their energy bills. This will be done by making sure that the Ohio Department of Development fully utilizes American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funding available to expand programs like the Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help low-income individuals with their heating bills.
4. Issue an Executive Order outlawing price gouging practices to prevent corporations, including big utility, from charging unreasonably high prices for Ohioans’ basic necessities during an emergency. Additionally, as Governor, Nan would work with the legislature to push for passage of enforceable legislation outlawing price gouging.