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COLUMBUS-- A repeat attempt by state lawmakers to soften Ohio's renewable energy requirements has cleared the Ohio House with the support of state Rep. Tim Ginter.
Ginter, R-Salem, joined the majority in support of House Bill 114, which was passed on Thursday by the Ohio House. The bill heads next to the Senate, where its fate is unclear.
The latest bill would soften language mandating utility companies obtain a percentage of its power from renewable and advanced sources, such as solar and wind, by set dates. It also eliminate penalties utilities and its customers would have faced for non-compliance.
One of several changes the House Public Utilities Committee made to the bill this week added a protection limiting what Ohioans pay for utility profits on energy efficiency.
The bill passed 65-30, giving it enough votes to override a governor's veto. Republican Gov. John Kasich vetoed a similar but tougher measure passed in December and has pledged to do so again.
Ginter said in a news release that under this bill utility companies and businesses are still free to pursue renewable energy goals, and many companies are already doing just that and will continue to do so regardless of whether there are state mandates in place.
"I am glad to be a cosponsor of this very important piece of legislation that will remove energy mandates and promote free markets in Ohio's energy sector. A recent study by the Ohio Business Roundtable said that the energy mandates do not survive a cost-benefit analysis and will ultimately result in higher utility bills being passed on to consumers. This maintains the future goals of energy efficiency without job-killing mandates," he said.