AKRON -- Northeast Ohio lawmakers were quick to question and criticize FirstEnergy's plan to mail two compact fluorescent light bulbs to their residential customers, then recoup the charges for the bulbs and mailing by adding charges to the customers' monthly bills.

Despite concerns, First Energy spokeswoman Ellen Raines told Channel 3's Paul Thomas Thursday afternoon that FirstEnergy is proceeding with the program as scheduled on Monday.

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Wednesday afternoon, Gov. Strickland asked the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to delay the start of the program.

In response to Strickland's request, the PUCO has "asked FirstEnergy to postpone deployment of its compact fluorescent light bulb program until the Commission can thoroughly assess the costs associated with this program."

In response to the PUCO Wednesday evening, FirstEnergy released a two-sentence statement:

"At the request of PUCO Chairman Alan Schriber, FirstEnergy has agreed to further discuss with the Commission its PUCO-approved program to provide compact fluorescent light bulbs to customers of its Ohio utilities - Ohio Edison, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company and Toledo Edison."

The FirstEnergy statement concluded with: "We will work with the PUCO to respond to its questions and determine how best to proceed."

The commission had stated: "Although the PUCO allowed FirstEnergy to implement its program, we did not approve the charge that will appear on monthly bills as a result. Reports in the media place the cost to customers at sixty cents per month for three years, which equates to $21.60 over the life of the program."

"The PUCO has not approved these additional dollars nor have we received a request by the company to do so. The PUCO will gather additional information regarding the program and its related costs. Until the PUCO has specific details regarding the program costs, FirstEnergy should not deploy its compact fluorescent light bulb program," the commission concluded.

Strickland said the media articles about the program state that "the PUCO approved the program to supply customers with two CFLs at a cost of sixty cents a month over three years for a total cost of $21.60."

"Ohioans are confused and angry and are looking for answers. First, the bulb program has been thrust upon them without their approval or prior knowledge."

"Second, it is my understanding that two bulbs will be provided at a cost in excess of $21. It is common knowledge that the efficient bulbs can be purchased for significantly less at popular retail outlets."

"Third, I am interested to know if there are any U.S. suppliers of these bulbs, or if FirstEnergy had considered the use of bulbs manufactured in the United States."

"Since FirstEnergy's program is under the purview of the PUCO, I am asking that you provide me and members of the General Assembly answers to these questions and more details as to how these programs were developed."

"In the meantime, I am asking you to postpone this program until these questions are answered."

Residential customers of First Energy Corp.'s Ohio utility operating companies -- Ohio Edison, Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company and Toledo Edison -- are included in the program.

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State Sen. Tim Grendell, R-18, said, "It is unconscionable that the (Public Utilities Commission of Ohio) approved this plan of FirstEnergy to exploit its customers by making them buy light bulbs they don't even want, at prices that aren't even competitive."

Grendell said he wonders how the company can "claim that it is making no money from it when it claims itself that the cost of the program will be $0.60 per month per customer for three years for a total of $21.60, yet it also claims that the two light bulbs they are providing customers cost $3.50 a piece (including distribution cost) for a total of $7. This is a $14.60 discrepancy."

"FirstEnergy implies that this is a state-mandated program via Senate Bill 221 of the 127th General Assembly, but this was never the intent of the General Assembly. I am very disappointed that PUCO approved this," he added.

Grendell added, "The PUCO is responsible for approving a utility company's actions under S.B. 221. The PUCO's approval of this ridiculous plan by First Energy is irresponsible."

If there is an issue with S.B. 221, Grendell said he will be introducing legislation to rectify this loophole and prevent similar future actions by utility companies.

On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) asked the Federal Trade Commission to conduct an investigation of the potentially unfair and anti-competitive forced sale of the light bulbs by FirstEnergy to their customers.

Kucinich also asked the FTC to examine the issue of FirstEnergy's plan to charge a fee for the energy that was not used by the consumer because they installed the light bulbs.

On Tuesday, Kucinich was the first to call for a review of FirstEnergy's plan to make its customers pay "for energy they don't use," Kucinich said, in a statement.

Also at issue is First nergy's plan to charge a fee for the energy that was not used by the consumer because they installed the light bulbs, Kucinich said.

"When families do the right thing and reduce their energy use, they should get all the savings. They shouldn't have to give it back to FirstEnergy to prop up their profits," said Kucinich.