skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, November 21, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

'Bomb cyclone' turns deadly in Washington state; Coalition defeats repeal of WA Climate Act to save environment, jobs; ME businesses boost apprenticeships to counter workforce shortage; Advocates: NYC must help homeless student population.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Transgender rights in Congress, a historic win for Utah's youngest elected official, scrutiny of Democratic Party leadership, and the economic impact of Trump's tax proposals highlight America's shifting political and social landscape.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The CDC has a new plan to improve the health of rural Americans, updated data could better prepare folks for flash floods like those that devastated Appalachia, and Native American Tribes could play a key role in the nation's energy future.

Opposition Mounts to Ohio's "Nuclear Bailout" Bill

play audio
Play

Monday, April 10, 2017   

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Opposition is mounting to a plan to charge Ohioans to bail out one company's aging nuclear power plants.

Senate Bill 128 in the Ohio Legislature would add a charge to people's electric bills to subsidize plants owned by FirstEnergy, a company that provides power to about 2 million residential consumers. FirstEnergy has said its nuclear plants are an important part of the clean energy picture in the state.

But Trey Addison, associate state director at AARP Ohio, said for customers, bills would increase on average almost $60 a year for up to 16 years - a real burden for people on fixed incomes.

"This is something that we continue to see. FirstEnergy has recouped billions of dollars from ratepayers in the state of Ohio, more so than any other utility,” Addison said. "So, it's just unacceptable again, now they're seeking a legislative solution. 'Bob and Betty Buckeye' have had enough."

Addison said there's no need for Ohioans to pay above-market rates for power, and that deregulation of the electric industry is working. A joint study of deregulation by Ohio State University and Cleveland State University found Ohioans saved nearly $12 billion between 2011 and 2015, and are projected to save another $12 billion through 2020.

Addison likens FirstEnergy's request to a homeowner wanting others in their neighborhood to pay for improvements so the homeowner could make more money in a real estate deal.

"It's unfortunate that you would go on the record and say, 'We're likely going to end up selling the plant anyway, so let's 'profit up' financially so we can get the highest dollar amount for it - on the back of the consumer,’” he said.

Instead, Addison said, FirstEnergy could sell its power to other buyers at a premium price. Another utility, Excelon, recently did that in Illinois - announcing it would sell power from its Byron nuclear plant to Michigan and other states, rather than seek a bailout.

Other states have decided to let their aging nuclear plants close without bailing them out.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
Since its founding, the CCA program has generated more than $2 billion for transportation and infrastructure upgrades, clean air and water initiatives, utility bill rebates, community solar, indoor air quality improvements and more. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

On Election Day, a broad coalition of conservationists, labor, and others helped defeat a ballot initiative to repeal Washington State's Climate …


Social Issues

play sound

In the wake of Donald Trump's re-election, teachers nationwide are bracing for more censorship battles. Currently, more than 40 laws in 22 states …

Social Issues

play sound

A new annual report shows New York City has more than 146,000 homeless students. The Advocates for Children of New York report finds this is an …


More than 3,000 Maine apprentices were actively working on industry-recognized skill certification in 2022, according to the Maine Department of Labor. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

State officials in Maine said they are working to expand the number of registered apprenticeship programs to help counter a persistent worker shortage…

Social Issues

play sound

School boards are nonpartisan, but a recent trend in Wyoming shows far-right candidates are bringing national politics to local elections. Public …

In 2020, roughly 9.9% of all U-S adults over age 20 were, or 28.6 million people, were affected by cardiovascular disease, according to a review article from the American Heart Association. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

It is National Rural Health Day and experts are flagging research showing increasing health disparities between urban and rural places, including in …

Social Issues

play sound

President-elect Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress have promised to pass a new tax bill, and a new report breaks down the expected winners and …

Social Issues

play sound

Recent surveys show a majority of North Dakotans want housing that allows them to live independently as they age. But there aren't a lot of suitable …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021