Asking Ohioans whether they want a modern electric grid leaves out the question most likely to change their answer: How much more will it cost them, and whose power needs are they being asked to finance?
Hosts of the "Today in Ohio" podcast argued that asking about grid modernization is like asking if someone wants a trip to Disney World. Wanting to go does not answer whether that person wants to pay for it.
That missing price tag drove skepticism on "Today in Ohio," the news discussion podcast from cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer, as they examined a conservative group’s call for statewide grid modernization.
A poll released by Build Ohio First reported that 91% of Ohioans want the grid modernized. However, the pitch did not explain how the improvements would be paid for, and the hosts did not know how the survey question had been asked.
The issue arrives amid questions about paying for transmission lines to serve data centers. The potential expense is enormous, and the allocation of that cost is unresolved.
Broad support for an improved grid tells policymakers little without an explanation of the trade-offs. No one is likely to reject better infrastructure in the abstract. Attach a household charge, and the response could be very different.
An extra $75 a year was offered as a hypothetical example of a cost that could change people’s answers. It was not a price quoted for the proposal.
"This is not the way to do public policy," one host said.
Skepticism also reflected the view that customers had already paid for improvements they did not receive. FirstEnergy collected money intended for grid upgrades, failed to deliver those upgrades and was allowed to keep the money following a court decision.
"We’ve already paid the upgrade to grid. First Energy just took the money and didn’t upgrade the grid."
That history, in the host's view, should be part of any discussion about asking customers for more. Before making a new demand of households, the utility should use money it had already collected for the purpose.
This refers to a 2019 ruling in which FirstEnergy collected $456 million from customers but did not spend it. The court made the ruling that the surcharge had been illegal in the first place but that FirstEnergy could keep it -- without upgrading the grid -- because the law contained no specific means of reimbursing ratepayers.
Questions were also raised about the motives of business groups promoting modernization. The push is suspected to reflect a desire for more electricity to support profitable business activity, with ordinary customers at risk of absorbing the expense.
"If they want that kind of investment, then you ought to be talking about how you’re going to help pay for it."
The issue is connected to broader criticism of Ohio’s embrace of data centers, arguing that lawmakers encouraged their growth without adequately accounting for electricity demand or the consequences for other customers.
There is one glimmer of hope in this story. Results showing 79% support for solar power and 71% for wind could signal a welcome change in the conversation about meeting Ohio’s energy needs. For a push associated with conservative groups, including the Buckeye Institute, these findings could signal a welcome change.
The state’s retreat from green energy requirements and the obstacles it has placed in front of renewable projects were criticized. Efforts to persuade rural residents that solar panels threaten their way of life were also faulted.
"So I’m hoping there is a corner turned here with solar and wind."
A group using a poll to advocate public policy owes the public enough information to evaluate it. That means more than publishing an appealing percentage. The survey questions, the geographic breakdown of respondents, their ages and other information showing whom the poll represented are needed.
"But if you’re going to release a poll and you’re trying to advocate for something, you ought to have 100% transparency. Not just give us the questions, give us all of the breakdowns."
Listen to the conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5tiUSL254RtANXzYdfg9vi?si=29620de63b3a40c9
Listen to full “Today in Ohio” episodes where Chris Quinn hosts our daily half-hour news podcast, with Editorial Board member Lisa Garvin, Impact Editor Leila Atassi and Content Director Laura Johnston.
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