Ohio Bill Could Block Wind and Solar and Even Coal

According to Dan Gearino at Inside Climate News, an Ohio proposal called Senate Bill 294 would redefine what counts as a reliable power plant in a way that effectively kneecaps large wind and solar projects, and might even trip up fossil fuels too.

The bill sets a new bar by requiring new plants to run at any time and hit a minimum capacity factor of 50 percent. That sounds technical, but it is basically a rule that rewards plants that stay on most of the time. The problem is that almost no major power source consistently clears that line in real life. Recent U.S. Energy Information Administration figures show nuclear is very high, and combined cycle gas can be above 50 percent, but coal averages below it. Wind and solar sit far below it as well.

So even if the bill does not say it bans renewables, it pushes regulators toward saying no. Meanwhile, the language is tied to model legislation from ALEC, a group known for backing fossil friendly policies. In other states, similar bills have also tried to label natural gas as clean or green.

Supporters argue Ohio has limited space and wants power that uses land efficiently. However, grid reliability is not about one plant. It is about the whole system. Energy experts also warn that using capacity factor as a stand in for reliability makes little sense. Even a high capacity plant can go down when it is needed most.

If this becomes law, it could slow clean builds, raise bills, and lock in more Pollution that harms our environment and public health. That ripple effect can reach communities, wildlife, and even pets when extreme heat and dirty air get worse.

If you live in Ohio, call your state lawmakers and push for energy rules that speed up renewables and protect a safer planet.

Sign These Petitions! 

Please sign our latest and most urgent petitions to help the planet. Every signature counts!

• Petition: Set Age Limits for Federal Officials
• Petition: Protect Women Drivers With Better Crash Testing for Women
• Petition: Justice For Abused Kitten Suki

Related Content:

• China Surpasses 2030 Renewables Target Six Years Early
• Energy Department Cancels Billions in Clean Energy Loans
• How Grid Batteries Make Clean Energy More Reliable