PUCO̢???s FirstEnergy Ruling Good News for Ohio Small Businesses
Statement by Mary Huttlinger, Ohio Outreach Manager for Small Business Majority, on the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio̢???s ruling that FirstEnergy overcharged for renewable energy credits and must refund $43.4 million to small businesses and consumers
PUCO̢???s ruling Wednesday that FirstEnergy must refund $43.4 million in excessive charges for renewable energy credits is welcome news to Ohio small businesses and consumers. For too long, FirstEnergy has been putting profit before the well being of our state̢???s 900,000 small employers. This week̢???s ruling sends a strong message that this sort of practice will not be tolerated in the Buckeye State.
Small employers in Ohio strongly support investing in clean and renewable energy sources. Small Business Majority̢???s scientific opinion polling found 66 percent of Ohio small business owners believe investments in clean energy have an important role in boosting our national economy and creating jobs. What̢???s more, additional polling revealed 87 percent of small employers think improving innovation and energy efficiency are good ways to increase prosperity for small businesses.
In this tough economy, Ohio̢???s entrepreneurs are doing their part to reduce energy costs, invest in new technologies and create jobs. But they can't do it alone. Fair practices by corporations such as FirstEnergy, coupled with bold clean energy policies from lawmakers, will prompt innovation̢??stimulating small business and the economy. Moreover, well-formed clean energy standards will help stabilize the marketplace, thus reducing the economic uncertainty small businesses are experiencing.
We hope agencies like PUCO continue to look out for the best interests of our small businesses. We look forward to working with PUCO, lawmakers, corporate partners and Ohio̢???s small businesses on strategies that will strengthen our state̢???s economy and create an environment where small employers thrive.
<p><strong>About Small Business Majority</strong><br />
Small Business Majority is a national small business advocacy organization, founded and run by small business owners to focus on solving the biggest problems facing America's 28 million small businesses today. Since 2005, we have actively engaged small business owners and policymakers in support of public policy solutions, and have delivered information and resources to entrepreneurs that promote small business growth and drive a strong, sustainable economy. We are a team of more than 30 working from our 11 offices in Washington, D.C. and 9 states, with a network of more than 45,000 small business owners and more than 2,000 business organizations, along with a formal strategic partnership program of more than 125 business organizations, enabling us to reach more than 500,000 entrepreneurs. Our extensive scientific polling, focus groups and economic research help us educate and inform policymakers, the media and other stakeholders about issues including taxes, healthcare, access to capital, entrepreneurship, workforce development, clean energy and immigration. Learn more about us on our website and follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/SBM_Media" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessMajority" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://instagram.com/smlbizmajority/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.</p>