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Connections confirmed between ‘grassroots’ Ohio solar opposition and dark-money natural gas group
The leader of a local anti-solar energy group admitted to Ohio regulators last week that a well-connected natural gas executive is among the group’s largest donors. The testimony by Jared Yost, founder of Knox Smart Development, offered the fullest view yet of the group’s ties to fossil fuel interests, undercutting its claims to be a […]
Ohio coal plant subsidies still a bad deal for ratepayers despite growing generation demand
The pair of 1950s-era coal plants bailed out under Ohio’s House Bill 6 law are likely to remain unprofitable even after a surge in grid operator payments to generators, experts say. The PJM Interconnection grid market makes capacity payments to line up power to meet expected demand in the years ahead. Aging, uneconomical coal plants […]
Inflation Reduction Act grant gives landfill solar a boost in Ohio
Ohio clean energy projects under an Inflation Reduction Act grant announced last month show how solar sited on closed landfills can reduce greenhouse gases, improve resilience and provide funding for other environmental goals. Part of the $129.4 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will add 28 megawatts of solar generation to a county […]
Large-scale Ohio research project to explore how solar and farming can co-exist
Research underway at a Madison County solar farm promises to shed light on how well multi-use farming can work at a large scale. The answers will help shape best practices for future projects, while addressing some concerns raised in ongoing debates over siting large solar projects in rural farm areas. Spread across more than 1,900 […]
Ohio advocates seek to ‘Trump-proof’ recent gains made on clean energy and climate
Advocates in Ohio are stepping up their clean energy efforts in response to the Republican party platform and Project 2025, which detail how a second Trump administration would promote fossil fuels while cutting back federal programs for addressing climate change, environmental justice and equity. Over the past year, Ohio-based governments and groups have won awards […]
Consequences continue as bill at center of Ohio utility corruption scandal marks fifth anniversary
Five years after Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 6 into law, Ohio citizens and ratepayers are still paying the price. Ohio lawmakers still haven’t taken steps to repeal the rest of the nuclear and coal bailout bill, which is the focus of what prosecutors say was a roughly $60 million bribery scheme by utility […]
Upcoming Ohio Supreme Court decisions could make it even harder to develop solar power
A pair of upcoming decisions by Ohio’s top court could further empower local opponents to block clean energy in what is already one of the hardest states to site new renewable projects. Two cases before the Ohio Supreme Court ask whether local opposition is enough for the Ohio Power Siting Board to conclude a project […]
Ohio solar project listening sessions seek to boost projects’ chances for success
Solar developers are hoping that listening to local communities in Ohio early in the design stage will boost their chances for success before state regulators. “We are really invested in and committed to being good neighbors,” said Lindsey Workman, community affairs manager for Vesper Energy. The company held three meet-and-greet sessions in Greene County this […]
Ohio regulators continue piecemeal approach to HB 6 cases despite calls for big picture review
This monthly newsletter provides updates on Ohio’s ongoing utility corruption scandal. Was this forwarded to you? Click here to subscribe. Ohio utility regulators will continue to consider four FirstEnergy cases related to HB 6 separately, despite requests by the utility, customer advocates, and others to combine the cases. Meanwhile, intervenors say the timeline set in two of […]
Federal climate funds to help Ohio cities slash emissions from wastewater operations
Biogas projects at wastewater plants serving Columbus and Cincinnati will offset roughly 50,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas annually, according to city officials. The Columbus Department of Public Utilities estimates biogas cogeneration projects for its Southerly and Jackson Pike plants will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 34,000 and 13,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide […]
Despite millions spent on service upgrades, Ohio utilities still miss reliability marks
Last year was the eighth in a row that at least one of Ohio’s regulated electric utilities failed to meet one or both company-specific reliability standards set by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Companies providing service to a majority of Ohio ratepayers also missed one of their marks last year. These utilities’ track records […]
Ohio HB 6 Updates: FirstEnergy riders approved, with changes
This monthly newsletter, published by the Energy News Network, provides updates on Ohio’s ongoing utility corruption scandal. Click here to subscribe. Regulators cut most of FirstEnergy’s energy efficiency proposal when they modified and approved the company’s latest rider plan on May 15. The plan would have been the first time FirstEnergy offered energy efficiency programs to most […]