To amend section 4928.73 and to enact section 122.1714 of the Revised Code to create a regulatory, economic, and energy market framework for fusion energy and to name this act the Ohio Fusion Energy Advancement Act.
This bill is a House Concurrent Resolution that urges the creation of an interstate compact to improve electric transmission projects across state lines. It directly affects state legislators and utility companies by requesting a formal agreement between states to enable more competitive bidding for transmission infrastructure. The resolution calls for specific provisions such as uniform rules for all energy generation types, cost allocation among all beneficiaries, streamlined permitting processes, and open bidding for interstate projects. This measure aims to address concerns that current state policies may hinder energy infrastructure growth and increase costs for consumers.
SB 294 defines key energy terms for Ohio's policy, including "affordable energy source" (excluding advanced nuclear), "reliable energy source" (requiring 50% capacity and grid stability), and "clean energy source" (including nuclear and natural gas). It mandates that all utility facility applications prioritize affordable, reliable, and clean energy sources while requiring domestic production for non-nuclear energy and minimizing reliance on foreign adversary nations for critical materials. The bill directly affects utility companies seeking facility permits by setting these requirements for energy sourcing and infrastructure. It establishes these definitions and policies for future energy siting decisions without creating new regulatory requirements.
To enact sections 4933.51, 4933.52, 4933.53, 4933.55, 4933.57, 4933.58, 4933.59, and 4933.60 of the Revised Code to prohibit certain public utilities from recovering political expenditure costs from their 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.
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.
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.
To amend sections 4905.02 and 4928.53 and to enact sections 4933.51, 4933.52, 4933.53, 4933.54, 4933.55, 4933.57, and 4933.58 of the Revised Code to exempt electric submetering companies from classification as a public utility, to impose various requirements on such companies, and to extend eligibility for the percentage of income payment plan program to certain electric submetering company customers.
To amend sections 4909.05, 4909.06, 4909.07, 4909.08, 4909.15, 4909.155, 4909.156, 4909.18, 4909.191, 4909.42, 4928.18, and 4929.041 and to enact sections 4903.30, 4929.052, 4929.053, 4929.054, 4929.055, 4929.056, 4929.057, 4929.058, 4929.059, and 4929.0510 of the Revised Code to allow for alternative rate plans for natural gas companies to serve large load customers and to make changes to the process of valuating natural gas company property.
