COLUMBUS, Ohio – A contentious energy bill has cleared the Statehouse and is headed to Gov. John Kasich for his signature.
The bill delaying the phase-in of renewable energy targets for utilities cleared the House 53-38 Wednesday amid objections from Democrats. Senators agreed to House changes.
The measure delays the implementation of goals set in 2008 for the use of renewable and advanced energy by Ohio utilities and creates a 13-member legislative commission to review the issue. After earlier attempts at effectively repealing the mandates failed, Kasich brokered a compromise allowing them to resume in 2017 if lawmakers fail to act.
The legislative Energy Mandates Study Committee will consist of 13 members: six members from the House of Representatives, six members of the Senate, and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio chairperson, as an ex officio, nonvoting member.
Backers of the targets say forcing utilities to use more renewable energy helps the environment and creates jobs. Critics say renewables aren’t reliable and drive up electric bills.
The House tabled an amendment that would have freed the utilities from disclosing the costs of the mandates.
The measure will “make energy bills more transparent for everyday Ohioans by requiring utility companies to disclose the cost of the mandates on customer bills,” says Rep. Peter Stautberg (R-Anderson Twp.), chairman of the House Public Utilities Committee.