All-electric homeowners in Ohio protest rate move

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio (AP) — More than 600 people have turned out in the Cleveland area to protest a utility’s plans to phase out a rate discount for all-electric homes.

Some homeowners at Monday night’s meeting in Strongsville say their electric bills have tripled. More than 100,000 FirstEnergy residential customers heat with electricity.

FirstEnergy spokesman Mark Durbin took questions but says his comments had to be limited because some homeowners have sued over the discounts.

Gov. Ted Strickland has directed state regulators to review the issue. FirstEnergy has proposed restoring most of the all-electric discount and phasing it out over eight years.

Ohio regulators are seeking comments on the proposal.