Ohio Public Utilities Commission

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Ohio Public Utilities Commission

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General information
Office Type:  Nonpartisan
Office website:  Official Link
Compensation:  $155,002
2025 FY Budget:  $80,404,294
Total Seats:  5
Term limits:  None
Structure
Length of term:   5 years
Leadership:  Jenifer A. French
Selection Method:  Appointed by Governor
Other Ohio Executive Offices
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The Ohio Public Utilities Commission is a five-person state executive board in the Ohio state government. The commission regulates electric and gas utilities, water and wastewater companies, telecommunication companies, and railroads.[1]

Current officeholders

The current officeholders are:

Authority

The Ohio Public Utilities Commission's powers, term of office, etc. are derived from Title 49 of the Ohio Revised Statutes.

Title 49, Chapter 4901.02:

(A) There is hereby created the public utilities commission of Ohio, by which name the commission may sue and be sued. The commission shall consist of five public utilities commissioners...[2]

Qualifications

There are no specific qualifications for this office. General qualifications to hold a statewide, constitutionally authorized office are outlined in Article VX, Section 4 of the Ohio Constitution:

  • resident of Ohio
  • a qualified elector
  • at least 18 years old

No person shall be elected or appointed to any office in this state unless possessed of the qualifications of an elector.[2]

Appointments

Ohio state government organizational chart

The commissioners are appointed by the governor to staggered five-year terms. One seat on the commission becomes available each year, and terms normally begin in April.[2]

Vacancies

In the event of a vacancy in the office, the governor will appoint a successor to fill the unexpired term of the departing commissioner.[2]

Duties

The public utilities commission regulates electric and natural gas companies, local and long distance telephone companies, water and wastewater companies, and rail and trucking companies across the state. The commission works to ensure that Ohioans have access to adequate, safe, and reliable public utilities at a fair price. The commission also:

  • protects consumers by enforcing relevant rules and laws
  • resolves disputes between utilities and customers and between competing utility companies
  • assures the availability of safe and reliable service to all customers
  • provides comparison information to consumers, answers questions, and offers help with utility-related problems
  • regulates the rates for utility services when there is no choice in provider[3]

Divisions

Updated January 27, 2021
  • Attorney General
  • Business Resources
  • Commission Offices
  • Federal Energy Advocate
  • Legal
  • Power Siting
  • Public Affairs
  • Rates and Analysis
  • Service Monitoring and Enforcement
  • Transportation[4]

State budget

See also: Ohio state budget and finances

The budget for the Ohio Public Utilities Commission in Fiscal Year 2025 was $80,404,294.[5]

Compensation

See also: Compensation of state executive officers

2022

In 2022, each commissioner received a salary of $155,002, according to the Council of State Governments.[6]

2021

In 2021, each commissioner received a salary of $155,001, according to the Council of State Governments.[7]

2020

In 2020, each commissioner received a salary of $159,994, according to the Council of State Governments.[8]

2018

In 2018, each commissioner received a salary of $132,496, according to the Council of State Governments.[9]

2017

In 2017, each commissioner received a salary of $132,496, according to the Council of State Governments.[10]

2016

In 2016, each commissioner received a salary of $132,496, according to the Council of State Governments.[11]

2015

In 2015, each commissioner received a salary of $124,509, according to the Council of State Governments.[12]

2014

In 2014, commissioners each received a salary of $124,509, according to the Council of State Governments.[13]

2013

In 2013, commissioners were each paid an estimated $124,509. This figure comes from the Council of State Governments.[14]

2010

In 2010, commissioners were each paid an estimated $109,595, according to the Council of State Governments.[15]

Historical officeholders

Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Ohio Public Utilities Commission has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.

Contact information

Ohio

Ohio Public Utilities Commission
180 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (800) 686-7826

See also

Ohio State Executive Elections News and Analysis
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Ohio State Executive Offices
Ohio State Legislature
Ohio Courts
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Ohio elections: 202420232022202120202019201820172016
Party control of state government
State government trifectas
State of the state addresses
Partisan composition of governors

External links

Footnotes

  1. Ohio Public Utilities Commission, "About Us," accessed January 27, 2021
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Ohio Revised Statutes, "Title 49, Chapter 4901, Section 02," accessed January 27, 2021
  3. Ohio Public Utilities Commission, "PUCO Mission and Commitments," accessed January 27, 2021
  4. Ohio Public Utilities Commission, "Organization," accessed January 27, 2021
  5. The Ohio Legislature, "Amended Substitute House Bill 33," accessed December 6, 2023
  6. Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
  7. Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 28, 2022
  8. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2020," accessed January 27, 2021
  9. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed January 27, 2021
  10. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed January 27, 2021
  11. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed January 27, 2021
  12. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed January 27, 2021
  13. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 27, 2021
  14. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," January 27, 2021
  15. The Council of State Governments, "The Book of States 2010 Table 4.11," accessed January 27, 2021