A second proposal has emerged that would regulate "submeter" companies, one that the companies like a lot better than the first plan. Ohio Sen. Kevin Bacon, R-Minerva Park, said his intent is to start a conversation about how the Ohio General Assembly can better protect consumers from submeter companies, which provide utilities to certain apartments and condominiums, often at a marked-up cost. He said the details of the plan will inevitably change as more people get involved.

A second proposal has emerged that would regulate "submeter" companies, one that the companies like a lot better than the first plan.

Ohio Sen. Kevin Bacon, R-Minerva Park, said his intent is to start a conversation about how the Ohio General Assembly can better protect consumers from submeter companies, which provide utilities to certain apartments and condominiums, often at a marked-up cost. He said the details of the plan will inevitably change as more people get involved.

"It really is a starting point," he said. "I don't know where this is going to end."

Senate Bill 348 sets rules for an industry that now has almost none. It increases disclosure for consumers and sets out a complaint process. It says landlords and submeter companies must select one of four methods of setting utility rates. Depending on the method, the outcome could be rates that are higher or lower than those charged by regulated utilities.

His bill joins one submitted last week by Rep. Mike Duffey, R-Worthington. The Duffey plan says a submeter company can charge no more than the regulated prices of utilities, and directs the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to set rules.

Duffey's bill was criticized by American Power & Light, a Westerville submeter company, because it "fails to address concerns regarding consumer protection" and "lays the groundwork to legislatively put legitimate companies out of business and kill jobs," said Michael Gonidakis, a lobbyist for the company.

>> Shocking cost: The Dispatch's investigation into utility 'submetering'

Asked about Bacon's bill, Gonidakis had this statement: "Sen. Bacon's approach puts consumers first while balancing a legitimate business' ability to operate. The legislation's foundation consists of consumer protection, transparency and a common sense regulatory framework. Everyone can support this strategic approach."

Another submeter company, Nationwide Energy Partners of Columbus, also likes Bacon's bill. The measure "takes a comprehensive approach, levels the playing field for submetering companies and includes necessary consumer protections," said Gary Morsches, the company's CEO.

Meanwhile, Duffey's bill was praised by the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel, a consumer advocate.

Dan Doron, a spokesman for the counsel, is less keen on Bacon's plan, complimenting the senator for taking an interest in the issue, but saying lawmakers should "consider other approaches where protection of Ohio utility consumers would be assured."

Bacon says his intent is to find an approach to the issue that protects the public and can attract enough support from lawmakers to pass. He notes that this is a controversial topic, with consumers on one side and property owners and developers on the other.

"I think many legislators would rather hold a flaming porcupine before they introduce a submeter bill," Bacon said.

The Dispatch has reported on submetering since 2013, showing how some companies mark up the prices of utilities, practices that would be illegal in most states. Since then, there have been challenges to this conduct in court, before the PUCO and the state legislature, but the rules have not changed.

dgearino@dispatch.com

@dangearino