March 26, 2025
OEC Action Fund Statement on House Bill 15
For Immediate Release:
March 26, 2025
Contact:
Kobe Collins, Campaign Communications Manager
media@theoec.org or 614-487-7506
OEC Action Fund Statement on House Bill 15
Columbus, OH — The Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund (OEC Action Fund) applauds the Ohio House of Representatives for the passage of House Bill 15 (HB 15). This legislation finally repeals the costly Legacy Generation Resource Rider in Ohio, which has bailed out two costly, polluting coal plants at the expense of Ohio consumers. This repeal will save consumers over $600M over the next five years, without impacting reliability.
This legislation also improves the utility ratemaking process, removing Electricity Security Plans (ESPs). By eliminating ESPs, utilities can no longer go to the PUCO for permission to collect money from customers without complete oversight of a standard rate case.
HB 15 also takes significant steps toward grid reliability by requiring utilities to publish heat maps and host capacity maps. This gives policymakers, developers, and communities clearer insight into where energy projects can interconnect to the grid. The bill also includes provisions to require location-specific reliability reporting for all Ohio utilities, which will help identify where investments are most needed to improve grid performance and equity across the state.
As the legislation moves through the process, the OEC Action Fund calls on Ohio legislators to protect the immediate repeal of the OVEC Coal Plant bailouts as well as preserving the community energy program. In addition, we urge Advanced Transmission Technologies (ATTs) and utility heat mapping provisions to be included in the final legislation. We recommend the expansion of demand response programs to include residential and small business customers, not just large businesses.
The following quote can be attributed, in whole or in part, to Nolan Rutschilling, Managing Director of Energy Policy for the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) Action Fund:
“Today, the Ohio House of Representatives passed significant energy legislation that will result in a more reliable grid while lowering costs for consumers and finally eliminating the OVEC coal plant bailouts. HB 15 strengthens our energy system by establishing a community energy pilot, creating rules around getting more out of the existing grid through Advanced Transmission Technologies, and requiring stronger, location-specific utility reliability reporting. This legislation is a major step forward, cutting energy costs for Ohio families and ensuring that energy companies are subject to transparent oversight.
“As energy policy moves forward in both the House and Senate, we call on legislative leaders to, first and foremost, protect the immediate repeal of the Ohio Valley Electric Corporation (OVEC) Coal Plant bailouts. Community Energy Pilots and increased reliability reporting are also crucial to keep in the legislation’s final form. Additionally, the OEC Action Fund recommends the inclusion of Demand Response programs and a School Energy Program that allows schools to take out low-interest loans for solar and energy efficiency projects as created in Senate Bill 2. With those changes, Ohio’s leaders can take a major step in moving Ohio towards a more consumer-friendly, transparent energy system.”
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The OEC Action Fund seeks to protect the environment and health of all Ohio communities by electing climate champions, holding public officials accountable, and advancing environmental justice policies.
