Senators Seek To Repeal Ohio's Alternative Energy Requirements

Current law requires AEP, First Energy, Duke Energy and Dayton Power and Light, Ohio's four investor-owned utilities, to incorporate renewable energy sources.

By 2025, each of these utilities must generate 12.5 percent of its electricity from renewable sources like solar and wind power, reported ONN's Harrison Hove.
 
A bill which would repeal these requirements is currently progressing through the state senate. 

"The last thing we need to do in Ohio is drive up the cost of energy for both Ohio families and Ohio businesses, and that's exactly what the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard does," said Republican Senator Kris Jordan of Powell, one of the bill's sponsors.
 
Jordan cited research from the American Tradition Institute (ATI), a Washington think tank.

ATI's report said Ohioans will pay more than $8 billion between 2016 and 2025 because of the renewables requirement. 

The report maintains environmental impact will be negligible because renewable sources are not proven to emit lower quantities of greenhouse gasses.
 
This directly conflicts with a 2010 report from Policy Matters Ohio, Hove reported. 

That report found the renewables requirement and energy efficiency mandates would cut Ohio's carbon dioxide emissions by 310 million gallons, sulfur dioxide by 1.8 million tons and nitrogen oxide by 500,000 tons leading up to 2025.
 
Currently, three of the state's four investor-owned utilities are making progress on their renewable energy portfolios. 

Last year these utilities created 477,000 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 43,000 homes. 

The state has approved 177 renewable energy facilities through 2010. 
 
Environment Ohio's Clean Energy Report Card gave an A rating to Duke Energy and Dayton Power and Light for their progress with renewable energy. 

AEP received a B rating and First Energy an F for falling short on its solar energy and energy efficiency requirements.
 
Jordan's bill that would repeal renewable energy requirements in Ohio has not yet been assigned to a committee.