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Lawmakers Hear Arguments on Renewable Energy
By: Associated Press
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – State lawmakers have begun hearings on a pair of bills regarding Ohio’s renewable energy mandates.
One measure would extend the current freeze on clean-energy standards for three years and the other would freeze the requirements indefinitely.
Legislators are pushing for the extension despite Gov. John Kasich’s objections and opposition from environmentalists and many businesses.
State Sen. Bill Seitz is sponsoring the three-year extension and the Cincinnati Republican says no action would lead to the “reinstatement of Ohio’s march up mandate mountain.” Lawmakers are facing a deadline at the end of the year. That’s when the current two-year freeze will be lifted unless the Legislature approves a new law.
Environmentalists and other opponents of the legislation say the debate is taking away from more serious discussions.