Energy Roundup: Update on Ohio’s Natural Gas Output

• Natural gas output from Ohio’s Utica and Marcellus shale regions rose just over 1% in Q3 2022, but was still less than the production levels for Q3 2019 and 2021.
• Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) Bruce Weston has announced his retirement after 45 years with the agency, including more than a decade in the top post.
• The PUCO has OK’d a $68.2 million rate hike for Columbia Gas of Ohio — much less than the company’s first proposal calling for a $221.4 million increase. (The OMA Energy Group worked to reduce the proposed hike.)
• Based on new estimates, wind and solar will account for 16% of total U.S. power generation in 2023, up from 14% last year and 8% in 2018.
• A spike in wind turbine malfunctions could negatively affect the push for more renewables, Bloomberg reports.

Lastly, the Columbus Metropolitan Club recently hosted a panel of experts addressing how utility corruption hurts ratepayers. Watch the recorded discussion. 1/26/2023