Ohio Gov. Now Calls For "Replacement" Of Nuclear Bailout Law (Retail Market Impacts)
July 24,2020
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has now called for H.B. 6, the Ohio nuclear subsidy law, to be, "repealed and replaced through an open process," as DeWine called the process under which the bill had passed, "tainted", Cleveland.com reports
As previously reported, the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio, recently announced that the Ohio Speaker of the House [Larry Householder] was arrested and charged in a federal racketeering conspiracy that DOJ alleged involved approximately $60 million paid to a 501(c)(4) entity to pass and uphold the billion-dollar nuclear plant bailout.
DeWine had earlier this week said that the law should not be repealed, voicing support for the policy while expressing concern about the alleged corruption. DeWine continues to support the policy under H.B. 6, but now says that maintaining the public trust requires a repeal and replacement
From a retail market standpoint, the adopted version of H.B. 6 is most notable because it included a provision allowing utilities to construct renewable energy generation for customers (see details here)
Moreover, revisiting broad energy legislation could provide an opportunity for utilities to receive statutory authority to offer a variety of value-added services, as has been sought under separate HB 247 (see story here)
Specifically, HB 247 would allow utilities, under an electric security plan, to provide, "customer-focused energy services or products" and "smart grid technology" to customers
"Customer-focused energy services or products" is defined as including, but is not limited to, the following:
(a) Services related to energy reliability and resiliency
(b) Curtailment and individual customer and aggregated demand response activities
(c) Energy efficiency or reduction
(d) Energy storage or battery functions
(e) Energy management
(f) Energy monitoring and control technologies
(g) Lighting controls and other smart controls
(h) Warranty and repair services
(i) Electric vehicle charging stations
(j) Microgrids
(k) Community solar energy facilities
(l) Energy-related physical security and cybersecurity