To urge the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to review and reconsider certain rules that impact our country's energy security and Ohio's small conventional oil and gas operators.
This resolution from the Ohio General Assembly urges Congress to reform federal permitting and environmental review processes to speed up the construction of new energy infrastructure. It specifically calls for changes to laws like the National Environmental Policy Act and the Clean Water Act to reduce delays that currently hinder projects such as power lines, pipelines, and generation facilities. The bill also requests better timelines and data for federal agencies and suggests limiting the use of courts to block projects. While the resolution does not create new laws itself, it formally asks federal lawmakers to prioritize legislation that would make it faster and cheaper to build domestic energy systems.
HCR 35 is a non-binding resolution passed by Ohio's legislature urging Congress to reform federal permitting processes for energy infrastructure. It specifically cites excessive delays under laws like the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as barriers to building new transmission lines, pipelines, and energy projects, noting reviews now take up to 4.5 years. The resolution requests faster approvals without weakening environmental protections, aiming to support grid reliability and domestic energy production. As a resolution, it does not enact changes but formally asks Congress to act on these permitting reforms.
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.
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.
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 enact sections 1509.71, 1509.72, 1509.73, 1509.75, 1509.76, 1509.77, 1509.79, 5301.57, 5301.58, 5301.59, and 5301.60 of the Revised Code to establish a process to regulate carbon capture and storage technologies and the geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide for long-term storage.
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.