Energy (Renewable Energy)

HB 954 amends state laws to create specific definitions for renewable biomass and related terms, such as agricultural materials, forestry products, and waste byproducts. The bill directly affects industries involved in manufacturing, agriculture, and waste management by clarifying what materials qualify as renewable biomass for regulatory purposes. Key provisions include defining forest thinnings and sustainably managed forests while explicitly excluding certain hazardous or non-compliant materials from these categories. Additionally, the legislation updates the definition of solid waste disposal to clarify that storing renewable biomass feedstocks before conversion is not considered illegal dumping.

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.