Ohio Could Become Most Regressive Energy State in the Midwest

Columbus, OH -- Today, the Ohio Senate voted 19 - 12 to move HB 6 back to the House; a new energy tax on Ohio electric customers and a complete catastrophe for a balanced informed energy policy and good governance. HB 6 increases customer bills to bail out two uneconomic, 1950s era coal plants -- one of which isn’t even in Ohio -- while also bailing out FirstEnergy’s uncompetitive nuclear plants. HB 6 also guts Ohio’s clean energy and energy efficiency laws. 

At a time when Ohio and the world are grappling with the catastrophic reality of the climate crisis, HB 6 demonstrates the clear focus of Ohio legislators to the here and now of campaign dollars versus the long-term safety and security of their constituents.

In Response, Neil Waggoner, Campaign Representative for Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign in Ohio, released the following statement:

“HB 6 was a bad coal and nuclear bailout bill when it left the House and it’s still a bad coal and nuclear bailout bill now as it leaves the Senate. 

“Ohio needs a comprehensive energy agenda with a real priority on reducing carbon emissions, not a utility financed scheme to force Ohioans to pay more each month for coal and nuclear plants that are economic failures.

"HB 6 would be the most regressive energy legislation in the Midwest, as neighboring states continue retiring coal energy generation for cleaner alternatives like solar and wind.”