Ohio Supreme Court Rules PUCO Has Exclusive Jurisdiction Over Claims Against Public Utilities

Unanimous decision affirms lower court's writ of prohibition in natural gas producer lawsuit against Dominion Energy Ohio

Jan. 28, 2026 at 4:07pm

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The Supreme Court of Ohio has unanimously ruled that the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has exclusive jurisdiction over claims asserted by natural gas producers against public utilities like Dominion Energy Ohio. The court applied a two-part test to determine that PUCO's administrative expertise is required to resolve the dispute over Dominion's natural gas measurement and accounting practices, which are regulated by PUCO as normal utility operations.

Why it matters

This ruling upholds PUCO's exclusive authority to oversee disputes between natural gas producers and public utilities, preventing such cases from being heard in civil courts. It affirms the regulatory body's role in governing the practices and operations of public utilities in Ohio, even when those practices are disputed by third parties like producers.

The details

Three natural gas producers filed a class action lawsuit against Dominion Energy Ohio, claiming the utility failed to properly pay for natural gas delivered into its system. Dominion argued the PUCO had exclusive jurisdiction, and the lower courts agreed, granting a writ of prohibition to force the case out of civil court. The Supreme Court affirmed this decision, finding PUCO's expertise is required to resolve the dispute over Dominion's gas measurement and accounting practices, which are regulated utility operations.

  • The Supreme Court of Ohio issued its unanimous ruling on January 28, 2026.

The players

Supreme Court of Ohio

The state's highest court, which issued the unanimous ruling affirming PUCO's exclusive jurisdiction over the case.

Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO)

The state regulatory body that has exclusive authority over disputes involving public utilities like Dominion Energy Ohio.

Dominion Energy Ohio

The public utility defendant in the class action lawsuit filed by natural gas producers over its gas measurement and accounting practices.

Three natural gas producers

The plaintiffs who filed the class action lawsuit against Dominion Energy Ohio, claiming the utility failed to properly pay for natural gas delivered into its system.

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The takeaway

This Supreme Court decision reaffirms the regulatory power of PUCO over public utility operations and practices in Ohio, even when those practices are disputed by third parties. It underscores the importance of PUCO's specialized expertise in overseeing the state's utility industry and resolving complex disputes within its jurisdiction.