Case ID: ohio-lr_31/html/0115-03.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Zimmerman, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

39037.
    Shopping Centers Association of Northern Ohio et al., appellants v. Public Utilities Commission of Ohio et al., appellees.
   Zimmerman, J.

1. Public utilities, because of the nature of their business in providing the public with necessary products and services, are subject to supervision, regulation and control by governmental agencies established for that purpose, inter alia, to protect those served with respect to the fairness of rates charged, adequacy of service, discriminatory practices and like matters.

2. Within the provisions and meaning of Section 4905.03 (A) (4), Revised Code, the term, “consumer,” used in reference to an Ohio public utility supplying electric energy, includes an Ohio resident receiving and paying for the electric energy furnished him by such public utility, and the fact that such “consumer” resells through submetering a part of such electric energy to others connnected with him as lessees, tenants or in other business relationships does not thereby remove the public utility from its character as such, and it is amenable to supervision, regulation and control by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. And where the “consumer” complains of a regulation proposed by the utility covering the furnishing of electric energy which will adversely affect him and which he claims will discriminate against him, the Commission must assume and exercise jurisdiction as provided in Section 4905.-04 et seq., Revised Code.

Order reversed.

Taft, C. J., Matthias, O’Neill, Herbert, Schneider and Brown, JJ., concur.