Energy Management

Senate Confirms French as PUCO Chair

This week, the Ohio Senate voted 31-0 to confirm Jenifer French as the new chair of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). In a recent interview with Gongwer News Service, French says she aims to restore the public’s trust in the PUCO after former chair Sam Randazzo’s resignation last November. French said that among the PUCO’s priorities are four ongoing investigations into to FirstEnergy’s operations in relation to the passage of HB 6. 5/7/2021

Study: Line 5 Shutdown Would Cost Ohio $13.7B

If Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) succeeds in shutting down Enbridge Energy’s Line 5 — the continental Canadian pipeline that transports more than half million barrels of light crude oil and natural gas liquids a day — it would have a much greater impact on Ohio’s economy than those of surrounding states, a new study finds.

The report, conducted by the Consumer Energy Alliance, finds that Ohio could lose up to $13.7 billion in economic activity, $147.9 million in state revenue, and more than 20,000 jobs from the shutdown. The economic losses would be four times those suffered by Michigan, the study says, and more than six times the impact on Indiana or Pennsylvania. 5/11/2021

This Map Shows Gasoline Prices Across the U.S.

Gasoline prices are up again this week with concerns about how the cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline, the largest fuel pipeline in the nation, could impact Ohio. (The impact in the Midwest is expected to be minimal, experts say.) This heat map published by GasBuddy.com provides a look at average gasoline prices in every U.S. county. 5/12/2024

Pressured by Customer Advocates, PUCO Orders Audit of OVEC Utilities

This week, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) ordered an independent audit of American Electric Power (AEP) of Ohio, Duke Energy Ohio, and AES Ohio’s (formerly DP&L) revenues and customer charge-offs for the Ohio Valley Electric Corporation (OVEC).

As reported by Hannah News Service, the PUCO audit was spurred by a request from the Office of Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) to ensure more transparency in the OVEC subsidies authorized by House Bill 6. A final audit report is due by Friday, Dec. 17.

Meanwhile, the OMA continues to press for approval of Senate Bill 117, offered by Sens. Mark Romanchuk (R-Mansfield) and Hercel Craig (D-Columbus) to permanently repeal HB 6’s OVEC subsidies and refund all charges collected since the bill became law. 5/6/2021

Natural Gas Bills See House Action

At the Ohio House this week, sponsor testimony was heard on House Bill 271, legislation that would establish a grant and loan program to coordinate and expand access to natural gas. The program would be funded by excess revenue in the Oil and Gas Well Fund and/or future appropriations made by the General Assembly. Businesses, non-profits, and local governments would be eligible to apply for funding.

Also this week, the House passed House Bill 201, legislation designed to prohibit local governments from banning or blocking consumers from obtaining natural gas hookups. The OMA worked with the bill sponsor and other interested parties to ensure the intent of the bill matched its language.

The OMA will continue to follow both bills, which will be discussed at the OMA’s May 27 Energy Committee meeting. Register here. 5/6/2021

Report: Biden Administration Signals Support for Subsidizing Nuke Plants

Reuters reports that the Biden administration would support taxpayer subsidies for aging nuclear power plants to help obtain net-zero emissions goals. According to the news outlet, the federal credits for nuclear power would be similar those for wind and solar. 5/6/2021

New Federal Bill Would Overhaul Clean Energy Incentives

Democrats in the U.S. Senate recently introduced the Clean Energy for America Act. The bill would consolidate current energy tax incentives into emissions-based provisions to encourage “clean electricity and transportation” as well as energy conservation. Read this summary by OMA Connections Partner RSM. 5/4/2021

State, Local Challenges Could Hinder Biden’s Renewable Energy Goals

President Joe Biden wants to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by half by the end of this decade. To achieve this, the country would not only need unprecedented growth in its renewable energy generation, but it would also need what some experts say is a “near-impossible” rapid buildout of our transmission network, according to a new Associated Press report.

In addition to financial and technological hurdles, expanding and modernizing the nation’s electric grid would guarantee legal fights at the state and local levels — including from “NIMBY” (Not In My Back Yard) and “BANANA” (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anyone) groups.

Because of the state and local dynamic, the Biden climate change plan — as well as its challenges and opportunities — will be one of the key topics discussed at the OMA Energy Committee’s next meeting, set for May 27. Register here. 4/29/2021

House Moves Natural Gas Bill With OMA Additions

This week, the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee advanced legislation (House Bill 201) to prohibit local governments from banning or blocking consumers from obtaining natural gas hookups. The OMA worked with the bill sponsor and other interested parties to ensure that the intent of the bill matched its language. A full House vote is expected in the coming weeks. 4/29/2021

PJM Holds Much of Nation’s New Gas-Fired Generation

Here’s another Ohio advantage: Roughly one-third of the nation’s new, efficient natural gas-fired generating capacity built since 2010 is under the jurisdiction of PJM Interconnection — the grid operator whose service area includes the Buckeye State. This is due to the rapid development of the region’s shale gas resources, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. 4/26/2021