June 25, 2024
To: Members of the Ohio House
From: Pete Bucher, Chief of Staff, OEC Action Fund
Re: House Bill 79
Dear Honorable Representatives,
I am writing to inform you that the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) Action Fund will be scoring House Bill 79 (HB 79) for the purposes of our Legislative Scorecard for the 135th Ohio General Assembly. We urge a yes vote on HB 79. To the extent that HB 79 passes, the OEC Action Fund will be doing extensive public education on the content and the votes on this legislation due to its positive impact to Ohio’s environment and the health of Ohioans.
HB 79 is a top energy policy priority for the OEC Action Fund. It establishes much-needed energy efficiency programs that are voluntary for both consumers and utilities. Among the chief benefits of reinstating these programs are combating air pollution by reducing energy waste, reducing strain on the electric grid, and lowering energy bills for Ohioans. This legislation will allow utilities, with PUCO and stakeholder oversight, to create consumer and business friendly programs that will save consumers money on their electric bills while also improving air quality and public health. To be clear: this bill will save Ohioans money in a time of skyrocketing energy bills.
HB 79 also has a myriad of other benefits not provided by current utility, state, or local initiatives. This bill specifically targets support to lower income families and seeks to make efficiency technology affordable to them. The impact of the bill will be immediate, reducing strain on our electricity grid as less energy is used and creating jobs for Ohioans to install the technology. Overall, HB 79 is a win for all parties involved.
At the center of HB 79 is the choice for consumers to either opt in or opt out of these energy efficiency programs. These standards are not forced upon consumers and businesses. Instead, lowered prices and economic incentives are being used to push people toward more efficient energy usage. Safeguards have been put in place to ensure that both consumers and businesses can opt out of the program if they so choose. We urge a yes vote on HB 79.
If you have any questions, please contact me at pbucher@theoec.org.
Sincerely,

Pete Bucher
Chief of Staff
OEC Action Fund