On Nov. 29, the Ohio Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee held a hearing on Senate Bill 307, legislation aimed at growing Ohio’s electric vehicle (EV) industry. While the OMA supports efforts to grow Ohio’s robust automobile manufacturing sector and supplier network, SB 307 would impose contentious policy by subsidizing monopoly utility companies to build EV charging stations. Moreover, it would pass the costs onto electric customers, whether or not they use the stations. The OMA advocates competitive markets to drive the most effective solutions for EV charging infrastructure and financing. In testimony this week, the OMA’s energy engineer, John Seryak of RunnerStone LLC, raised concerns the bill could hinder the EV industry by encouraging utilities to overbuild the electric grid and making EV adoption more expensive. He recommended manufacturer-friendly alternatives to enhance competition and transparency. Watch Seryak deliver his remarks (at the 1:54:10 mark of this video) or read his testimony. 11/29/2022