Youngstown Times

On April 30, 2025, State Representative Monica Robb Blasdel (R-Columbiana) announced that the Ohio House of Representatives has concurred on the Senate amendments to Substitute House Bill 15. This market-driven bill aims to enhance energy affordability and increase energy generation, promoting a more reliable electricity grid in Ohio.

Robb Blasdel commented on the development, stating, “House Bill 15 is a bold and impactful piece of legislation that will benefit Ohioans, and Ohio’s business for decades to come. I am thankful to my colleagues on the Ohio House Energy Committee for their attentive consideration, and for the leadership of Representative Klopfenstein, Chairman Holmes, and many others. As this bill moves to the Governor’s desk, Ohio moves one step closer to a brighter future.”

Substitute House Bill 15 introduces several measures. It aims to improve energy affordability by eliminating the option for utility companies to file an Electric Security Plan (ESP). Instead, companies must present a case to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), which will undergo a comprehensive review of consumer rates. All Standard Service Offers (SSO) are required to be Market Rate Offers (MRO), enhancing consumer decision-making in energy shopping. The bill prohibits Electric Distribution Utilities (EDU) from bidding in the wholesale market with assets funded by distribution customers and halts the collection of new funds for the Solar Generation Fund. Additionally, it establishes Multi-Year Rate Plans (MYRP) at the PUCO.

For Ohio’s business energy needs, the bill prohibits EDUs from owning generation, thereby fostering market competition. It allows local communities to apply for "priority investment area" designations, offering tax exemptions and incentivizing new energy developments. The legislation also reduces the Tangible Personal Property (TPP) tax on new generation and energy equipment, aligning Ohio's tax structure with neighboring states.

The bill imposes requirements on EDUs to update and publish system capacity heat maps, promoting transparency. PUCO must also conduct annual stakeholder meetings and produce reliability reports, addressing electricity generation and aging infrastructure.

This legislative move is in response to Ohio's growing demand for electricity generation, driven by its status as a significant tech hub in the Midwest and the presence of major companies like Anduril, Honda, and Intel. The bill is designed as a strategy to meet the increasing electricity demand from business growth while ensuring affordability for residents. The legislation will now proceed to the Governor for approval.