Nuke plants’ bailout stalled in legislature

COLUMBUS — A proposed bailout for Ohio’s two nuclear power plants that would raise rates for FirstEnergy customers appears to be stalled.

The Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station east of Toledo.

One committee considering the idea suspended testimony last month amid protests against the plan while another committee held its fourth hearing last week without taking a vote.

Much of the written testimony submitted to lawmakers opposes a plan that could lead to $300 million a year in new charges for FirstEnergy customers, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

FirstEnergy’s average residential customer would pay about $5 more per month, while businesses and factories would see much larger increase.

The Akron-based utility says subsidies are needed to save the Davis-Besse and Perry plants along Lake Erie, which produce 14 percent of the state’s electricity. 

The company has said the plants might be sold even if subsidies are approved. The plants are vital tax generators for rural towns near them, providing millions of dollars.

The Benton-Carroll-Salem school district east of Toledo could lose $8 million a year.