OhioNews Bureau

ONB COLUMBUS: After spending months dawdling over a bill that will redefine Ohio’s energy system for years to come, the Public Utilities Committee in the Ohio House yesterday got a sudden burst of energy that kept them sequestered into the wee hours of the morning in a subterranean meeting room, as they accepted a new, possibly industry-built version of a bill that the majority Republican party accepted and passed out of committee without Democrats even being in the room.

Democrats voiced concerns that they were given precious little time to read the new version of the bill, which one source reported had the digital fingerprints of a known utility insider on it and also said the committee chairman’s denial of their request to meet in private to review amendments they had not seen before was a case of disrespect to minority members.

OhioNews Bureau

ONB COLUMBUS: Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland Friday appointed Cheryl Roberto to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).

OhioNews Bureau

ONB COLUMBUS: Ohio Governor Ted Strickland will soon be sent names of candidates to fill the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) post set to expire in April.