June 26, 2024
Columbus, OH – On Wednesday, June 26, House Bill 79 passed on the floor of the Ohio House of Representatives by a vote of 50-45-4. The bill’s sponsors, Rep. Bill Seitz and Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney, emphasized throughout the bill’s hearings that the cheapest energy for customers is the energy they don’t need because utilities help them reduce their usage, which also helps grid reliability.
This bipartisan, voluntary energy efficiency bill allows Ohio’s utilities to run programs for residential and small commercial customers. The bill does not force utilities to run programs, nor does it require customers to participate, but the utilities have indicated that they hope to bring back new and improved programs. The legislature eliminated the previous energy efficiency programs when it passed HB 6 and bailed out the FirstEnergy nuclear plants in 2019.
Energy efficiency programs allow utilities to offer discounts and rebates to encourage residential and small business customers to invest in usage reduction measures such as smart thermostats, appliances and weatherization. The new law emphasizes smart technologies and measures that reduce both usage and peak demand. HB 79 includes additional consumer protections and Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) oversight to ensure utilities implement the programs in ways that benefit consumers.
“Energy efficiency has taken on new urgency in the wake of extreme heat warnings and concerns about energy capacity shortages. As a result, the passage of HB 79 couldn’t be more timely. Energy efficiency programs save all customers money on their bills. Not only do customers who take advantage of the programs save money, but also all customers as a whole because lowering demand lowers the market price for electricity.”
“No family should have to worry about how they’ll afford to cool their homes as temperatures rise this summer. That’s why House Bill 79 is a big win for Ohioans and everyone who cares about clean air and water in the state of Ohio. This bipartisan legislation will allow utility companies to create energy efficiency programs to help Ohioans reduce their energy usage and lower their energy bills, while supporting a healthier environment for all. We applaud the bipartisan efforts of legislators who supported this bill, and encourage the Ohio Senate to pass the bill on to Governor DeWine’s desk.”