COLUMBUS, Ohio — A new bill in the Ohio House aims to lower energy costs, but it would also give utility companies limited control over customers’ thermostats.

The proposal, introduced by Republican state Rep. Roy Klopfenstein, would create a voluntary program allowing energy companies to remotely adjust heating and cooling during peak demand times.

Klopfenstein says the measure could help keep the power grid stable and prevent price spikes, especially as more large data centers move into Ohio and increase energy demand.

Participation would be optional, meaning customers would have to opt in before their thermostat could be controlled.

Not everyone is on board, though. WTOL 11 asked state Rep. Josh Williams, also a Republican, if he supported a bill that allows companies any control ov

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