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Yesterday, Ohio’s House of Representatives followed the Senate’s lead and passed SB 310, legislation to pause the state’s expensive electricity mandates. Ohio residents have spent the past six years living under two renewable energy mandates: one that requires a percentage of the state’s electricity to come from more expensive renewable sources (Renewable Portfolio Standards) and another that requires Ohio’s citizens to use less electricity.

While over 29 states and the District of Colombia have Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS), the two-year pause contained within SB 310 is the first time a state has successfully passed legislation reexamining this dubious policy. Just as Ohio is considered a bellwether on election night, so too will SB 310 be replicated by other states. This historic moment will be the first of many as RPS mandates ramp up and customers begin to feel their full weight.

Ohio, U.S.A.In addition to the two-year RPS pause, SB 310 also pauses the forced electricity reduction mandate that is financed by monthly customer surcharges. SB 310 comes in the nick of time as utilities were being forced to increase customer surcharges by huge percentages.

SB 310 will also create a commission to, once and for all, study the effects of these electricity mandates. The legislation contains other measures that mitigate the efficiency mandate and ensure that the law does not violate the Commerce Clause.

If you live in Ohio, make sure your representatives and the governor’s office hear from you.

Click here to see how your Senator voted.
Click here to see how your Representative voted.

If you want to learn a little bit more about SB 310 and the electricity mandates it mitigates, check out the below links.

Ohio’s Electricity Reduction Mandate Burdens Residents and Businesses
Repeal Ohio’s Electricity Reduction Mandate
Ohio Moves to Rollback Costly Green Energy Mandates
Ohio Utility To Increase ‘Efficiency’ Surcharge By 390 Percent

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