HB6 Archives

Former FirstEnergy Executives Reindicted on State Bribery Charges Stemming From HB 6

A previous state trial of Chuck Jones and Michael Dowling resulted in a hung jury with 10 of the 12 jurors agreeing on their guilt.

by Marty Schladen, The Ohio Capital Journal June 8, 2026June 8, 2026

Ohio News

What to Expect as FirstEnergy Corruption Trial Heads for a Do-Over

Two former FirstEnergy executives will head to a retrial after a deadlocked jury the first time around.

by Kathiann M. Kowalski April 28, 2026April 28, 2026

News & Views

Ohio Finally Ends Subsidies for Two Scandal-Linked Coal Plants

Under the state’s infamous HB6 law, customers had to pay over half a billion dollars to keep the two 1950s-era plants running. A new law ends the subsidies this month.

by Kathiann M. Kowalski August 11, 2025September 9, 2025

News & Views

Former FirstEnergy Executive Sheds Light on Ohio HB 6 Machinations, Denies Culpability

The former vice president also was asked about Tony George’s involvement in the scandal

by Nick Evans, Ohio Capital Journal June 17, 2025July 14, 2025

News & Views

Ohio Regulators Begin House Bill 6 Hearings as Lawmakers Mull Anti-Corruption Legislation

The hearings, coming almost five years after the scandal came to light, will include testimony from FirstEnergy executives who previously refused to testify

by Nick Evans, Ohio Capital Journal June 13, 2025June 26, 2025

News & Views

Ohio’s New U.S. Senator Jon Husted Has a History of Connections to Energy and Charter Scandals

The same day Jon Husted was tapped to be Ohio’s next U.S. Senator, former FirstEnergy executives were indicted on federal racketeering charges

by Marilou Johanek, Ohio Capital Journal January 21, 2025May 26, 2025

News & Views

Ohio Ratepayers Are Subsidizing Coal Plants. Report Says Owners Long Knew They Warmed the Globe

Duke Energy in 2022 emitted 78.8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent to the atmosphere

by Marty Schladen, The Ohio Capital Journal December 11, 2024February 4, 2025

News & Views

FirstEnergy Gave Heavily to Trump and Trump Worked for a Federal Bailout, Report Says

FirstEnergy spent lavishly on Trump-aligned dark money groups and at Trump hotels and golf courses, a new report said this week

by Marty Schladen, The Ohio Capital Journal October 11, 2024July 17, 2025

News & Views

Ohio Coal Plant Subsidies Still a Bad Deal for Ratepayers Despite Growing Generation Demand

Experts say coal plants that are part of bailout bill are likely to remain unprofitable

by Kathiann M. Kowalski August 23, 2024September 29, 2024

News & Views

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost Settles With FirstEnergy for $20 Million

Amount dwarfed by scale of epic utility ripoff that featured more than $61 million in bribes and a $1.3 billion bailout

by Marty Schladen, The Ohio Capital Journal August 14, 2024November 22, 2024

News & Views

Consequences Continue as Bill at Center of Ohio Utility Corruption Scandal Marks Fifth Anniversary

Ratepayers are still paying coal plant subsidies and clean energy standards remain gutted five years after lawmakers passed HB 6, the bailout law at the heart of the largest corruption scandal in state history.

by Kathiann M. Kowalski July 24, 2024May 15, 2025