Skip to content
Legislation opposed by Green Energy Ohio
- SB 52. Law Regarding Wind Farms and Solar Facilities. Enacted June 2021
The most significant action related to energy taken by the General Assembly was passage of Senate Bill 52. Although somewhat improved from the introduced version, the legislation adds unprecedented, unnecessary, and unfair local government control over the siting of wind and solar facilities. Governor DeWine signed the bill earlier this month. As part of an active coalition of opponents, GEO testified against the bill twice (links) and sent an action alert to our members and supporters. Click here for testimony given on May 19, 2022 and here for testimony submitted on March 23, 2022. Ohio legislators continue to send signals to the investment community, renewable energy developers, and corporations seeking clean power that Ohio is not open for the business of the 21st century.
- HB 507 Defining natural gas as green energy and permitting oil and gas drilling in state parks and on other public lands. Enacted December 2022
An example of what can happen at the end of a legislative session after the election, these provisions were added to a bill on agricultural policy without any opportunity for public input. Defining natural gas as green energy was intended in part to help corporations circumvent ESG investing standards — benchmarks that limit the financing choices of companies or funds that do not meet certain environmental, social, and governance criteria. GEO issued this action alert.
Legislation Supported by Green Energy Ohio
- SB 61. Homeowner Association Solar Provisions. Enacted June 2022
To eliminate discriminatory provisions in Homeowner Association declarations and bylaws that prohibit or discourage the installation of solar panels on members’ property. The bill passed out of the Senate on a 32-1 vote in January and was referred to the House Civil Justice Committee. After three hearings, it was voted out of committee by 11-1 . Link to GEO testified in support of this bill in House Committee. Click here to view our testimony.
- HB 389. Energy Waste Reduction Program.
To permit electric distribution utilities to establish energy efficiency and peak demand reduction portfolios. The bill passed out of the House Public Utilities Committee unanimously on November 18 but has not been scheduled for a floor vote. GEO signed a letter of support for this legislation (link) and solicited signatures from our business members. Click here to view this document.
- HB 450. Allow for the Development of Community Solar Projects.
To allow the PUCO to certify up to 2,000 MW of community solar projects and an additional 1,000 MW of community solar project constructed exclusively on “distressed sites,” as long as the majority of these projects are located in the Appalachian region. The bill has had two hearings this year in the House Public Utilities Committee, in addition to two hearings in 2021.
- SB 277. Temporary reductions in the motor vehicle fuel excise tax and registration fees.
Introduced as a consequence of rising gas prices, the bill includes a provision that would suspend collection of additional registration fees on electric and hybrid vehicles for five years. It has been referred to the Senate Transportation Committee where it received sponsor testimony.
- HB 429 The Energy Jobs and Justice Act.
This proposal was intended to create a comprehensive clean energy policy rooted in equity, economic development, and accountability. Major provisions included prioritizing clean energy jobs and environmental justice programs in economic development initiatives; ensuring clean energy benefits to those most historically and disproportionately harmed by energy policies; and encouraging clean energy growth, energy waste reduction, and workforce training. GEO expressed support in an announcment of the bill’s introduction
