Ohio bill would let utilities create optional programs to control customers' thermostats to reduce energy use

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WJW) -- A state lawmaker proposes allowing utilities to take control of volunteering customers' thermostats or appliances, to decrease overall demand on the energy grid in times of peak consumption.

Such optional demand response programs are already available to large commercial users, but House Bill 427, introduced late last month by state Rep. Roy Klopfenstein, R-Haviland, would allow utilities to develop them for residential consumers.

“This legislation is a crucial step in our state's comprehensive plan to ensure all Ohioans have access to reliable, affordable and readily available energy,” Klopfenstein is quoted in a news release. “These programs will ease the strain on our energy gri