Toledo, Ohio — As Ohio’s energy demand continues to rise, experts warn that the state could face a significant energy shortage in the coming years if new power generation does not come online soon. In response, state lawmakers are working to reform Ohio’s energy landscape to address these concerns.
The Ohio House and Senate have recently advanced separate versions of legislation aimed at boosting the state’s energy generation while ensuring utility costs remain affordable for consumers. Senate Bill 2 and House Bill 15, which have garnered broad bipartisan support, are now being reconciled as lawmakers work through remaining differences.
One key area of disagreement centers around tax incentives for new power generation and solar fees, which both bills seek to address. However, both chambers are in agreement on one major issue: the need to end coal subsidies introduced by the controversial House Bill 6. The subsidies have been a significant financial burden on Ohio ratepayers, costing an estimated half a billion dollars since 2019.
House Bill 6, which passed in 2019, was marred by a bribery scandal involving FirstEnergy. The utility giant was accused of bribing the then-House Speaker to secure a nuclear bailout bill, which included provisions that subsidized coal energy. Lawmakers have called for the repeal of the coal subsidies as part of the 2025 energy reform package, viewing it as a necessary step to ensure the state’s energy policies are fair and transparent.
“This industry should understand that when you go behind closed doors and bribe a member of this chamber, including the speaker, that any deal you got as a result is going to be null and void when that bribe is discovered,” said State Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Township). “This is the final pillar.”
The repeal of the coal subsidies is seen as a critical move toward restoring public trust in Ohio’s energy policy, which has been shaken by the scandal. With energy demand increasing and coal subsidies coming under fire, lawmakers are now turning their attention to the future of Ohio’s energy sector, seeking a balance between new generation and keeping utility costs manageable for residents.
As discussions continue, the outcome of these legislative efforts will have significant implications for the state’s energy future, particularly as Ohio works to avoid the looming threat of an energy shortage in the years ahead.