ATHENS, Ohio — Every year, hundreds of Ohioans report high energy bills because their electricity provider was switched without their knowledge — a form of scamming made possible because of Ohio law.
Ohio deregulated its electricity market in 2001, allowing multiple energy companies to offer electricity to American Electric Power customers. Ohioans can shop around and choose electric providers that they believe will offer them the best rate.
“No one regulates that price that the retail supplier will charge,” said Matt Schilling, the director of public affairs for the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). “The notion is that it’s competitive. The market will self enforce prices, right?”…