Ohio’s energy grid is under unprecedented strain, threatening the very foundation of our state’s economic stability. Energy is the lifeblood of Ohio’s manufacturing sector and heavily supports the state’s labor force. Resolving our energy crisis is a matter of economic security, and the recently announced acquisition of AES Ohio is a significant step.

As a former Wellsville City Councilman, I have witnessed firsthand the energy challenges Ohio’s families and businesses face from rising costs and service inconsistencies. The outdated infrastructure of the grid poses a risk of power outages, with the National Electric Reliability Corporation warning that Ohio is at an elevated risk for power shortages in 2026.

Despite growing power demand, Ohio electric utilities have prematurely retired, stripping our grid of the necessary baseload power to support an estimated 7.1 million homes since 2012. That number is only expected to grow, with PJM forecasting that by 2030 the risk of retirement could impact up to 40,000 MW – an estimated 22 million homes. These closures come at the same time as widespread electrification and an influx of data centers, both of which add additional stress to an increasingly fragile grid.

With this new inflow of capital, AES Ohio has a unique opportunity to modernize systems and replace aging equipment without passing costs or premiums on to the ratepayers. Attracting energy-intensive industries like data centers also allows the fixed costs of the grid to be spread out, lowering the per-unit cost for residential customers and keeping Ohio an affordable place to live and work.

Investing in our grid is about ensuring reliability and securing the state’s future as an industrial leader, attracting global investment. Leading the charge on modernizing supports our workforce that rely on energy to support the resurgence of Ohio’s manufacturing industry, with grid investments opening opportunities for the state to win massive projects.

The economic benefits of this acquisition will ripple across the state, with hundreds of utility jobs being preserved and a rapid surge in demand for skilled labor. A variety of jobs will be created, from positions in construction and engineering to advanced technical grid management, creating and sustaining high-paying careers. In 2023, energy-led economic initiatives helped retain or attract over 10,000 jobs to our state. Supporting this project supports more than just industry, it stands up for the people who make up the heart of our great state.

AES Ohio will also continue to operate as a locally managed utility, maintaining its Dayton headquarters and current workforce. We need Ohio energy decisions made by Ohioans who understand our way of life and know what it means to live and work here. An investment in energy infrastructure is a direct investment in Ohio and its people.

Ohio communities deserve a grid that is reliable, affordable, and built to last. This AES Ohio deal offers our community economic strength and energy security, and we must take it.

John Morrow

Wellsville