Senate Passes Controversial Wind and Solar Bill

On a 20-13 vote that included five Republicans voting no, the Senate this week passed Senate Bill 52, legislation that would make sweeping changes to Ohio’s power siting process for large-scale wind and solar projects. The bill now heads to the House.

While SB 52 saw major changes from its original language, the substitute bill would still give final decision-making authority to local governments instead of the Ohio Power Siting Board — which is currently tasked with approving such projects. The OMA opposed the bill in committee and remains concerned about the precedent it would set, as well as potential long-term impacts to onsite power generation. 6/3/2021