2.1 Million FirstEnergy customers receiving first installment of refund

SOLON — Consumer advocacy by the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) and the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) led to a historic settlement at the PUCO resulting in FirstEnergy refunding $306 million in "significantly excessive" profits to 2.1 million customers. The first installment of the refunds, averaging $26.91 for residential customers, appear as bill credits on this month's Cleveland Electric Illuminating, Ohio Edison and Toledo Edison bills. Non-residential customers received $2.68 per mWh. The remainder of the refund will be paid out to customers as credits on their electric bills over the next five years. The average FirstEnergy residential customer will receive a total of $85.71 paid in installments as follows: • $1.87 per month ($22.44 annually) per consumer (for $80 million in total will be credited in 2022, through a monthly bill credit). • $1.40 per month ($16.80 annually) per consumer (for $60 million in total will be credited in 2023, through a monthly bill credit). • $1.05 per month ($12.60 annually) per consumer (for $45 million in total will be credited in 2024, through a monthly bill credit). • $0.58 per month ($6.96 annually) per consumer (for $25 million in total will be credited in 2025, through a monthly bill credit). The settlement involves profits cases under a 2008 utility ratemaking law known as Senate Bill 221, which requires refunds of charges for "significantly excessive" utility profits. Previously the most any electric utility was required to refund to consumers for "significantly excessive" profits was $43 million from AEP Ohio about a decade ago. The 2008 law limits electric utility refunds to "significantly excessive" profits and allows electric utilities to keep excessive profits. Science Center and NOPEC collaborate to launch new hands-on wind turbine exhibit CLEVELAND — Guests visiting Great Lakes Science Center will soon get the chance to experience a new engineering design challenge exhibit, thanks to a partnership with NOPEC, that invites them to build, test and refine their own tabletop wind turbines. When the new exhibit opens Feb. 24, guests will build their turbine by choosing from 12 different blade shapes (or mix and match them!), making decisions about how to arrange them around a central hub, and then adjusting their angles. When completed, guests will then test their turbine in a wind tunnel, where a metered readout will reveal its efficiency. Guests can then tweak their designs to try to improve their results. "NOPEC has been a passionate supporter and facilitator of energy and STEM education programs since our inception over 20 years ago," said Chuck Keiper, NOPEC's executive director. "We're proud to partner with a world-class educational institution like the Science Center to provide engaging learning opportunities like this interactive wind turbine exhibit designed to teach and inspire the energy decision makers of tomorrow about renewable energy generation," Keiper added. "The Science Center is grateful for the support of partners like NOPEC who truly understand the impact STEM education can have on the community and on workforce development for the region," said Science Center president and CEO Kirsten Ellenbogen. "We're proud to join with them in developing this unique exhibit that makes concepts of energy efficiency and renewable sources tangible, and puts them right into the hands of our guests in a fun and interactive experience." The Science Center is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.