COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio legislatures are considering a bill that would only allow affordable and reliable energy to be approved for future use in the state. But the way those parameters are defined has brought on a crowd of opposers that feel if signed into law the grid wouldn’t survive. 

“Ohio must prepare for the reality with policies that expand, not restrict our energy options. More than ever we need an all of the above approach,” Evangaline Hobbs from American Clean Power said. 

SB 294 looks to have the Power Sitting Board, who reviews all energy sources before they come to Ohio, to only allow “affordable, reliable, and clean energy”. 

The bill defines only fossil fuels and nuclear power as affordable, reliable and clean, not wind and solar. 

“SB 294 appears designed to further squash existing and future renewable energy projects so oil and gas face less competition rather than ensure reliable and affordable power for Ohio," Pierre Wolfe, an opponent of SB 294 said. “It props up costly risky and outdated energy sources while sidelining the solutions that can be deployed fastest and at lowest costs.”

American Clean Energy is against the bill and estimates if no new clean energy comes to the state customer rates will increase by 140% by 2032.

“By excluding renewables from the definition of reliable energy the bill undermines our ability to meet rising demand, adapt to generation retirement and build a resilient grid,” Hobbs said. 

The Oil & Gas Workers Association argues that too much of the infrastructure for renewable energy comes from Europe and China.

“USA oil and natural gas is reliable, affordable energy. Ohio American oil and gas workers power the nation and fuel the world,” Matt Coday, with the Ohio & Gas Workers Association said. 

Three organizations testified in front of the committee in support of the bill late last year while more than three dozen have opposed it, including the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. 

The bill has not been voted on in either the senate or house yet.