Energy Legislation
As we face a new year, State Senators are still discussing fixing a last minute 2014 budget amendment that tripled the previous property line setbacks for wind turbines, which has stymied wind power generation across Ohio. Sen. Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls) took charge of the effort by introducing SB 238.
Efforts to correct the wind turbine setback debacle is the only bright spot in a bleak string of bad energy bills so far this session. Attacks on Ohio’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Standards continued with the House passing HB 114, where it waits for the Senate to act. As it stands, this bill would, among other egregious provisions, do away with renewable energy requirements, and further weaken energy efficiency requirements for Ohio’s electric utilities. While the Senate has yet to act on the bill, President Obhof (R-Medina) indicated it is one of leaderships top priorities this January.
Adding insult to injury, both the House and Senate are considering bills that amount to a bailout for electric utilities committed to relying on outdated, dangerous coal and nuclear energy generation. Senate Bill 155 and HB 239 would allow Ohio utilities to increase their rates to cover losses from the Ohio Valley Electric Corporation (OVEC) coal generation plants in Ohio (Kyger Creek) and Indiana (Clifty Creek) through 2040. SB 128 and HB 381 are simply a money-grab by FirstEnergy to recoup some of its costs for keeping its dangerous nuclear plants afloat. This includes the Beaver Valley Power Station located in Pennsylvania, essentially making Ohioans pay for an out-of-state plant.
Luckily the nuclear subsidy bills currently have little momentum in either chamber, but the coal bailout is getting serious consideration. The House may pass HB 239 when lawmakers return from recess. More troubling is the prospect that the Senate may pass HB 114 with several amendments that could include the coal bailout as well as the wind turbine setback correction. The bill would then go to conference with House and Senate members hashing out a compromise bill where they could add other provisions. That is why the Sierra Club is urging the Senate to pass a clean, stand-alone bill to fix the wind turbine setback law. Ohio’s wind energy future should not come at the cost of our Clean Energy Standards or a coal bailout.