Delaware County Review

State Representative Brian Lorenz announced that the Ohio House of Representatives has concurred with Senate amendments to Substitute House Bill 15. The bill is a market-driven initiative aimed at improving energy affordability and increasing energy generation reliability in Ohio to support economic growth and ensure consumer access to reliable energy.

Representative Lorenz emphasized the goal of the bill, stating, “Advocating for energy that is affordable and reliable for all Ohioans is a top priority for me. We need to work towards energy independence and transparency for our future generations, Substitute House Bill 15 does just that.”

The bill introduces several changes, including eliminating the option for utility companies to file an Electric Security Plan. Instead, it mandates these companies to approach the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio with a rate case. This measure aims to close a current ratepayer loophole and ensures utilities undergo a comprehensive review to determine consumer rates.

Substitute House Bill 15 also requires all Standard Service Offers to be Market Rate Offers, enhancing transparency for consumers. It prohibits Electric Distribution Utilities from bidding in the wholesale market with assets funded by distribution customers, ensuring fairness between utilities and consumers.

Furthermore, the bill halts the collection for the Solar Generation Fund, transferring remaining resources to support energy conservation in schools through the Ohio Facilities Commission. It also establishes Multi-Year Rate Plans at PUCO to propose base rate changes with an annual review process.

The bill addresses Ohio's energy needs for businesses by prohibiting Electric Distribution Utilities from owning generation assets. It introduces incentives such as a "priority investment area" designation and reduces the Tangible Personal Property tax on new energy infrastructure, aligning Ohio more closely with surrounding states. Additionally, the bill requires Electric Distribution Utilities to update and publish system capacity heat maps online and mandates annual stakeholder meetings and statewide reliability reports by the PUCO.

House Bill 15 reflects the growing demand for electricity in Ohio as a leading tech hub, attracting companies such as Anduril, Honda, and Intel. The bill outlines a strategic approach to meeting electricity demands and making energy more affordable for state residents. The legislation has been sent to Governor DeWine for his consideration.