New energy bill delays Ohio’s environmental goals by 2 years

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – A proposal before the Ohio House of Representatives freezes state-set goals for the amount of energy utilities must produce from renewable sources such as solar and wind power, but does not permanently repeal the goals.

The closely watched bill was approved by the Ohio Senate just after 1 a.m. Thursday, about 15 hours after the compromise was reached. Lawmakers who initially wanted to permanently freeze implementation of the seven-year standards backed down on Wednesday.

The Republican-led Senate worked with Gov. John Kasich on an alternative measure that would halt progress on the goals for two years while a legislative committee examines the issue.

Public Utilities Chairman Bill Seitz, a Cincinnati Republican, noted that both Republican and Democratic amendments were adopted in the final version.

State Sen. Eric Kearney, a Democrat on the committee, criticized the process. He said the final version of the bill was not subject to any testimony and that lawmakers were pressed to read and analyze its content before voting.

Questions and answers about the bill in its current form:

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Q: What are the goals?

A: Under the 2008 law, Ohio utilities were required to produce 12.5% ​​of their energy by 2025 from renewable sources such as wind, solar and heat capture, and 12.5% ​​from advanced sources such as like pure coal. The law also required companies to help customers reduce their electricity use by 22 percent by 2025.

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Q: What will happen to the goals outlined in the Senate bill?

A: Advanced energy targets have been eliminated. Renewable energy goals are frozen for 2015 and 2016 and a requirement that at least half of those resources must come from Ohio is eliminated. The benchmarks will resume as planned in 2017 unless lawmakers follow the recommendations of a new study committee by then. The new deadline for achieving clean energy and efficiency goals is 2027.

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Q: What is the composition of the research committee?

A: 13 members: six from the Ohio House of Representatives and six from the State Senate, including no more than four members of the same political party from either chamber, and the chairman of the Ohio Public Utilities Commission.

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Question: Are lawmakers required to accept the committee’s recommendations?

Oh no. The bill states that it is the Legislature’s intention in the future to adopt regulations that limit goals for energy efficiency, the use of renewable energy sources and reduced peak demand at power plants.