COLUMBUS, OH – On Wednesday, June 26, House Bill 79 passed on the floor of the Ohio House of Representatives by a vote of 50-45-4. Bill sponsors Rep. Bill Seitz and Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney emphasized throughout hearings on the bill that the cheapest energy for customers is the energy they don’t need because the utilities help them reduce their usage, which also helps grid reliability.
This bipartisan, voluntary energy efficiency bill allows Ohio’s utilities to run programs for residential and small commercial customers. The bill does not force utilities to run programs, nor does it require customers to participate, but the utilities have indicated that they hope to bring back new and improved programs. The legislature eliminated the previous energy efficiency programs when it passed HB 6 and bailed out the FirstEnergy nuclear plants in 2019.
Energy efficiency programs allow utilities to offer discounts and rebates to encourage residential and small business customers to invest in usage reduction measures such as smart thermostats, appliances and weatherization. The new law emphasizes smart technologies and measures that reduce both usage and peak demand. HB 79 includes additional consumer protections and Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) oversight to ensure utilities implement the programs in ways that benefit consumers.
Bill proponents submitted the following quotes in response to the passage:
Rob Kelter, Managing Attorney, Environmental Law Policy Center:
"Energy efficiency has taken on new urgency in the wake of extreme heat warnings and concerns about energy capacity shortages. As a result, the passage of HB 79 couldn't be more timely. Energy efficiency programs save all customers money on their bills. Not only do customers save who take advantage of the programs, but all customers save because lowering demand lowers the market price for electricity.”
Pete Bucher, Chief of Staff, Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund (OEC Action Fund):
“No family should have to worry about how they’ll afford to cool their homes as temperatures rise this summer. That’s why House Bill 79 is a big win for Ohioans and everyone who cares about clean air and water in the state of Ohio. This bipartisan legislation will allow utility companies to create energy efficiency programs to help Ohioans reduce their energy usage and lower their energy bills, while supporting a healthier environment for all. We applaud the bipartisan efforts of legislators who supported this bill, and encourage the Ohio Senate to pass the bill on to Governor DeWine’s desk.”
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The OEC Action Fund, a 501c4 organization, seeks to protect and enhance the environment, economic viability, and health of all Ohio communities by expanding access to public lands, advancing critical environmental priorities, holding policy makers accountable, and electing environmental champions.