COLUMBUS, Ohio (April 3, 2026) — The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel is calling on the state’s electric utilities to prioritize federal funding and cost-saving technologies when modernizing Ohio’s power grid, warning against passing unnecessary expenses on to residents.
The push comes after the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved a staff submission on April 1 for a concept paper under the federal SPARK program in an ongoing utility case. The program, funded through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, is aimed at improving grid reliability while controlling costs.
Consumer advocates say utilities should fully leverage those federal dollars before turning to expensive infrastructure projects.
Focus on Upgrades Over New Construction
According to the OCC, Ohio is seeing a sharp rise in electricity demand, driven in part by the rapid growth of energy-intensive data centers. Rather than building costly new transmission lines, the agency recommends utilities focus on improving existing infrastructure.
That includes advanced transmission technologies like reconductoring, which replaces older wires with higher-capacity lines on existing towers — often at a significantly lower cost than building entirely new transmission routes.
Ohio Consumers’ Counsel Maureen Willis said rising demand should not automatically lead to higher bills for consumers.
“Rising energy demand should not automatically mean building costly new transmission lines at Ohio families’ expense,” Willis said. “By leveraging federal programs like SPARK and improving load forecasting, utilities can modernize the grid, lower costs, and prioritize real savings over unnecessary construction.”
Importance of Accurate Forecasting
The OCC also emphasized the need for more precise forecasting of electricity demand, especially as large-scale users like data centers continue to connect to the grid.
Better forecasting, the agency says, can help prevent overbuilding and reduce the risk that residential customers will be left paying for infrastructure that exceeds actual demand.
Calls for Transparency
The OCC has been involved in the PUCO case since 2022 and continues to advocate for transparency in how federal funding is used. In previous filings, the agency pushed for public disclosure of applications tied to federal grid improvement programs.
Officials say Ohio residents deserve clear insight into how taxpayer-backed funding is being spent and how those investments impact utility rates.
Ongoing Oversight
The OCC says it will continue monitoring the case to ensure utilities prioritize cost-effective solutions, use accurate demand projections, and avoid shifting financial risks onto Ohio households.
