COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A plan to add a new charge to Ohioans' electric bills to financially rescue Ohio's two struggling nuclear plants has cleared the Ohio House over the objections of clean energy advocates.
The bill approved Wednesday would repeal renewable energy standards that require investment in alternative energy options, such as wind and solar. It also eliminates clean air incentives for renewable energy projects.
Majority Republicans backing the bill over Democrats' objections want to help nuclear plants that FirstEnergy Solutions says will close unless the company gets help reducing costs.
The plan generates about $200 million annually through charges tacked onto monthly residential and business electricity bills.
The bill heads next to the Senate.
Governor Mike DeWine reacted to the passing of HB 6 with the following statement: “I want to thank Speaker Householder for taking on this major, bipartisan legislative effort regarding Ohio’s energy policy. I know this issue is difficult because there are so many Ohioans affected and so many parties interested in the outcome, and I support Speaker Householder and House leadership moving this discussion forward. As I have previously stated, Ohio needs to maintain carbon-free nuclear energy generation as part of our energy portfolio. In addition, these energy jobs are vital to Ohio’s economy. I look forward to this legislative discussion continuing in the Ohio Senate.”
