September 9, 2026
OEC Action Fund Supports Kaptur Bill to Refund Ratepayers Harmed by Utility Corruption
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 9, 2026
CONTACT:
Karlena Wallace, Communications Director
media@theoec.org, 614-487-7506
OEC Action Fund Supports Kaptur Bill to Refund Ratepayers
Harmed by Utility Corruption
The Ratepayer Justice and Commercial Power Accountability Act makes corrupt utilities and executives pay ratepayers back, a direct answer to the FirstEnergy scandal
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) Action Fund announced its support for the Ratepayer Justice and Commercial Power Accountability Act (H.R. 9700), legislation introduced by Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) to return money to utility customers whose bills increased as a result of corporate corruption and to hold the responsible utilities and executives accountable for their crimes.
Ohioans have felt the cost of corruption firsthand. House Bill 6, the bribery scheme at the center of the FirstEnergy scandal, the largest public corruption case in state history, forced Ohioans to subsidize aging power plants through their electric bills. The state has since repealed those subsidies, ending the nuclear bailout in 2021 and the coal plant subsidies through House Bill 15 in 2025. However, ratepayers already paid more than $683 million, most of which was never refunded.
The legislation creates the Ratepayer Justice Fund, which recovers the money utilities, executives, and lobbyists gained through misconduct and returns it, with interest, to overcharged customers as a refundable credit on their federal tax return. It also funds grid resilience, clean energy, and environmental cleanup in harmed communities through U.S. Department of Energy grants, and requires mandatory prison time for utility executives and public officials convicted of bribery.
The following quote can be attributed, in whole or in part, to Spencer Dirrig, Vice President of Government Affairs for the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) Action Fund:
“Ohioans were forced to pay the price for FirstEnergy’s corrupt scheme, and no one has been forced to refund that money to the ratepayers.”
“This bill secures justice for Ohioans wronged by utility corruption. It would make corrupt utilities pay ratepayers back, ensure the crooks go to prison, and require the companies to reinvest in the communities they harmed. We thank Congresswoman Kaptur for fighting for Ohio families, and we urge every member of Ohio’s delegation to get behind this legislation.”
The following quote can be attributed, in whole or in part, to Matthew Davis, Vice President of Federal Policy for the League of Conservation Voters (LCV):
“LCV is proud to support Rep. Kaptur’s Ratepayer Justice and Commercial Power Accountability Act. The bill holds utilities accountable for their misconduct and corruption that has driven up energy costs, leaving communities to pay the price. It is critical that we pass this bill so money from unjust utility bill overcharges can go back into the pockets of those affected. Most importantly, the bill directs greater federal investment into communities through grid and infrastructure upgrades and more affordable, clean energy. Rep. Kaptur is fighting for fair solutions to the fallout Ohio families and others across the country are facing. We must protect everyone from utilities when they are bad actors, and allow everyone access to affordable clean energy.”
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The Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) Action Fund protects the environment and health of all Ohio communities by electing climate champions, holding public officials accountable, and advancing environmental justice policies.
