Committee Studying Ohio’s Energy Freeze Full of Lawmakers Who Voted for Bill that Enacted the Freeze

Proponents to keep Ohio’s renewable energy standards appear to face an uphill battle.

The legislative committee that will review the standards, which are frozen for two years, is overwhelmingly made up of lawmakers who voted for the bill that enacted the freeze.

Just three of the 12 committee members voted against Senate Bill 310, which Gov. John Kasich signed in June.

The lone Democratic senator to vote for the bill, Shirley Smith, D-Cleveland, is one of four Democratic appointees to the committee.

Ohio Gov Kasich Set to Sign Energy Bill

Honda, others make last-minute push for veto.

Consumers and businesses will see their electric bills go up if Gov. John Kasich signs a new bill rolling back Ohio’s energy efficiency and renewable energy standards, according to a letter sent to Kasich on Wednesday by a coalition of 51 companies and 21 organizations.

Ohio State Laws Clash with Federal Energy Guidelines

Ohio is ranked fifth in the nation in energy consumption, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Proposed EPA guidelines could pose a unique problem for Ohio, as a federal plan to cut carbon pollution from power plants arrives at the same time as a state law to freeze emissions standards.

Last week, the EPA announced its proposed Clean Power Plan that aims to, by 2030, cut carbon emissions from power plants nationwide by 30 percent below 2005 levels.

Ohio Senate Bill 310 Derailed; Coalition Favoring Efficiency and Renewable Energy Proposes Another Compromise

A new coalition of business, industrial and consumer groups is proposing a compromise to end the stalemate on the controversial legislation that would freeze Ohio's renewable energy and efficiency laws for two years.

The group is suggesting a one-year freeze on the efficiency and renewable standards that have increased annually since 2008, and a cost cap that would protect small business and consumers from increases in bills to pay for efficiency programs.