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Rep. Stein Announces House's Approval of Reforms to State's Energy Requirements

Pro-business bill encourages economic growth, free-market system
March 31, 2017
Dick Stein News

COLUMBUS—State Representative Dick Stein (R-Norwalk) announced that the Ohio House of Representatives yesterday passed legislation that would make Ohio’s renewable energy standards optional, promoting business growth in the state.

House Bill 114, sponsored by Representative Blessing (R-Colerain) reflects some of the recommendations made in a report issued by the Energy Mandates Study Committee in 2015. The bill reforms Ohio’s law on renewable energy to remove mandates, instead making them optional. It also decreases the state’s energy efficiency benchmarks from approximately 22 percent to 17 percent.

“I am pleased to support legislation that gives Ohioans more control over their energy consumption needs,” said Rep. Stein. “Renewable energy can cost up to 50 percent more to generate than conventional forms. Consumers should not be forced to pay this extra expense. It should be an individual choice.”

Replacing these often costly mandates with goals and incentives keeps benchmarks in place for energy companies looking to increase production of renewable energy without the influence of government. This helps reduce unnecessary costs on businesses and, ultimately, consumers.

Many companies are already beginning to shift to renewable energy sources, regardless of whether mandates are in place. Therefore, House Bill 114 frees up energy markets, making it possible to achieve a positive outcome without enforcing government mandates that often prove detrimental to Ohio’s economic interests.

Among other provisions included in the legislation, House Bill 114 would allow customers and businesses to opt out of renewable energy goals without facing penalties for not meeting benchmarks on the purchase of renewable energy.

House Bill 114, which passed with bipartisan support, now awaits consideration by the Ohio Senate.