To amend section 4929.02 and to enact sections 4929.51, 4929.52, 4929.53, 4929.55, 4929.57, and 4929.59 of the Revised Code to allow for competitive retail natural gas service suppliers to offer carbon offsets to customers.
To amend section 4905.02 and to enact sections 4933.51, 4933.52, 4933.54, 4933.56, 4933.57, 4933.59, 4933.60, and 4933.63 of the Revised Code to exempt from regulation as a public utility certain persons or entities providing behind-the-meter utility services and to allow the Public Utilities Commission to register providers of such services.
To enact section 4933.30 of the Revised Code to enact "The Consumer Utility Billing Transparency Act" requiring the itemization of all riders, taxes, and other costs on certain utility bills.
SB 2 creates a tax exemption program for developers building on former coal mines or brownfield sites in Ohio, offering five years of property tax relief to encourage investment in these economically distressed areas. It also clarifies that small renewable energy projects (under 50 megawatts, like solar farms, wind farms, and biogas digesters) can be regulated by local zoning boards without changing their tax classification as public utilities. The bill directly affects local governments, developers, and small renewable energy operators by streamlining approvals for these projects while preserving existing tax treatment. These changes aim to support grid reliability and affordability by facilitating new power generation in targeted communities.
To declare the General Assembly's intent to provide funding for the purpose of developing, repairing, or upgrading infrastructure that services housing in rural counties.
SB 116 reduces the tangible personal property tax rate for pipeline companies in Ohio from 88% to 25% of true value. This directly affects pipeline companies operating in Ohio, lowering their property tax burden on taxable assets like pipelines and related equipment. The bill amends Revised Code section 5727.111 to implement this rate change for all pipeline company property first taxed in Ohio after the effective date. The key provision is the uniform 25% tax rate, replacing the previous 88% rate for this specific industry.
To amend section 4909.192 and to enact section 4928.106 of the Revised Code to authorize voluntary demand response programs for residential and small commercial customers.
HB 121 defines "renewable natural gas" as biologically derived methane meeting pipeline standards and specifies that producers without on-site pipeline injection capability are not considered public utilities. This directly affects certain renewable natural gas producers who lack the infrastructure to connect directly to gas pipelines. The bill’s key mechanism reclassifies these producers out of the public utility regulatory framework by removing them from the definition of "public utility" under Ohio law. The change would exempt them from utility-specific regulations, such as rate oversight or service requirements, without altering their operational standards. The bill is currently in committee after introduction on February 24, 2025.
To amend sections 4933.12, 4933.121, and 4933.123 and to enact sections 4933.125, 4933.126, 4933.127, 4933.128, 4933.129, 4933.1210, and 4933.1211 of the Revised Code to prohibit terminating electric or gas service to certain households and establish a payment plan for these services.
To amend section 4928.67 and to enact sections 4928.675, 4928.676, 4928.677, 4928.678, 4928.679, 4928.6710, and 4928.6711 of the Revised Code regarding virtual net metering and meter aggregation.
