Repeal HB 6 in full to end costly coal subsidies, restore utility energy efficiency programs

Bill Seitz

Ohio House Majority Floor Leader Bill Seitz, a suburban Cincinnati Republican, points at House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes, an Akron Democrat, during a heated hearing on voting reforms. Seitz is one of the primary co-sponsors of House Bill 389 to allow Ohio utilities to sponsor energy efficiency programs -- a bill some feel is required since a still-unrepealed portion of House Bill 6 overturned a law requiring utility energy efficiency spending. Today, the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer again calls on the Ohio legislature to repeal HB 6 in full. (Photo from Ohio Channel)

In a welcome example of cross-party Statehouse cooperation in an otherwise contentious General Assembly, a prominent Ohio House Democrat and a prominent Ohio House Republican are co-sponsoring a bill to allow, but not require, Ohio’s electric companies to help customers save money on their electric bills.

As introduced, House Bill 389 would make it clear that electric companies may “develop … energy savings portfolios to help [ratepayers] … save energy” – that is, via various techniques and mechanisms, help Ohioans use less electricity. The bill, introduced Aug. 12, has not yet been referred to a House committee for hearings.

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