COLUMBUS, Ohio — Cleveland Illuminating Company customers will pay more for their electric service over the next few years, while Ohio Edison and Toledo Edison customers will see their base electricity rates decline, under a plan approved by state utility regulators on Wednesday.

The rate case, approved unanimously by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio , will allow FirstEnergy -- the parent company of the three utilities -- to bring in an additional $34 million in total per year for up to four years.

That’s far less than the $190 million-per-year rate increase that FirstEnergy asked for, saying the extra money from ratepayers is needed to help modernize the Akron-based utility’s electric grid and improve reliability.

However, it’s more than the rate decrease called for by the Ohi

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