News and Analysis
Positive Momentum for Renewable Energy Projects
August 4, 2023The Supreme Court of Ohio recently gave final approval to a permit for a 71-turbine wind farm that would span Huron and Erie counties. Justices unanimously affirmed the Ohio Power Siting Board’s order, with Justice Pat DeWine writing for the court. Read more on this development.
Meanwhile, the power siting board is considering final approval of what would be one of the largest solar farms in the U.S., according to Gongwer News Service. And one of the largest renewable natural gas plants of its kind in North America has commenced operations in Mahoning County. 8/3/2023
U.S. Chamber Criticizes Rules Changes on Energy Permitting
August 4, 2023The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is criticizing the Biden administration’s proposed rules changes to an energy permitting reform plan OK’d by Congress. The rules changes were not part of the reform plan, according to reports. They would update the National Environmental Policy Act by including climate and equity factors impacting how federal agencies execute reviews. 8/2/2023
Cleveland-Cliffs CEO, Lt. Gov. Husted to Speak at Manufacturers’ Energy Conference, September 13
July 28, 2023If you haven’t already, it’s time to register for the 2023 Ohio Manufacturers’ Energy Conference, set for Sept. 13 in Westerville. This event will feature energy insights and best practices from manufacturers and other experts. Topics will include efficiency, reliability, on-site generation, and much more.
Among this year’s keynote speakers will be Lourenco Goncalves, chairman, president and CEO of Cleveland-Cliffs, as well as Lt. Gov. Jon Husted. The event’s speakers list will be updated as details are finalized. 7/25/2023
Study: Electric Riders Have Eroded Ohio Customer Savings
July 28, 2023A new study by Ohio researchers reveals more than 20 years of deregulated electricity markets have meant lower generation costs for Ohio customers — but these savings have been negated by riders added to electricity bills. Moreover, the riders have not been directly related to generation, transmission, or distribution. Read the study.
Published by Utilities Policy, a peer-reviewed academic publication, the study examined electricity prices in three states with restructured generation markets (Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania), comparing them to three other states that did not deregulate (Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin). Despite the benefits from restructuring, Ohio’s cost advantage — when compared to the other deregulated states — deteriorated from 2013 to 2020, according to the study. 7/24/2023
Automakers Join Forces on EV Charging Network
July 28, 2023Seven major global automakers — including OMA members Honda, General Motors, and Stellantis — have announced they will create an unprecedented new charging network to significantly expand access to high-powered EV charging across North America. According to this news release, at least 30,000 high-powered charge points will be installed in urban and highway locations, with the first stations set to open next summer. 7/27/2023
FirstEnergy CEO: HB 6 Scandal Is Behind Us
July 28, 2023Brian Tierney, FirstEnergy’s third CEO since Chuck Jones was fired in October 2020, tells news media the company is moving on from the House Bill 6 scandal. Tierney says FirstEnergy is now focused mainly on transmission instead of generation, while trying to “admit what we did, put it behind us, and focus on the future.”
In 2021, the energy giant at the center of the $60 million HB 6 bribery scheme agreed to pay $230 million and to other conditions so prosecutors wouldn’t pursue a criminal case against the company. 7/24/2023
Power Siting Board Finalizes Rule Revisions
July 28, 2023Bricker Graydon, the OMA’s general counsel, reports that the Ohio Power Siting Board has issued its final determination on revisions to rules governing the board’s siting criteria. The rules will affect everyone from utility-scale solar developers to independent power producers to traditional public utilities, according to Bricker’s summary. 7/24/2023
Ohio Awarded $14.2 Million in Grid Resilience Funding
July 28, 2023Gov. Mike DeWine recently announced that the State of Ohio will receive a $14.2 million Grid Resilience Formula Grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to modernize the electric grid and reduce the impacts of extreme weather. The grants aim to ensure the reliability of power sector infrastructure, according to the governor’s press release. 7/24/2023
Editorial Praises OMA-Requested Utility Veto
July 21, 2023In its July 14 editorial, The Toledo Blade commends Gov. Mike DeWine for striking anti-consumer language from the state’s two-year budget earlier this month. The OMA urged the veto of the provision, which would have allowed gas and electric companies “to charge customers for the cost of infrastructure in speculative economic development sites.” 7/18/2023
Willis Named Next Consumers’ Counsel
July 21, 2023The Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) Governing Board voted unanimously this week to appoint OCC veteran Maureen Willis as the next Ohio consumers’ counsel. She will assume office Oct. 1, with retiring Consumers’ Counsel Bruce Weston remaining on the job until the end of September. Read Gongwer’s story. 7/18/2023