COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio's freeze of its energy efficiency and renewable energy standards could stay on ice.

The initial two-year pause came in 2014, when opponents argued that the standards were too costly to implement, and now draft legislation calls for another three years.

The proposal is being circulated by state Sen. Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati), who cites the confusion over conflicting mandates with a federal court case challenging the implementation of the Clean Power Plan.

But Dave Rinebolt, executive director of Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy, counters that it's been demonstrated that Ohio's clean energy standards would help the state comply with the federal standards to reduce carbon emissions.

"There seems to be ideological opposition to the Clean Power Plan,” he states. “And in fact, the proposed legislation changes the standards in such a way that it would reduce their ability to help us comply with the Clean Power Plan."

Ohio's clean energy standards require utilities to reduce customers' power use by 22 percent and get 25 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2025.

Environmental, business and faith leaders held a Statehouse rally Wednesday, calling for the freeze to be lifted.

The groups contend the standards are needed to reduce dangerous emissions that threaten public health.

Rinebolt adds that utility companies recognize the value in energy efficiency programs, and notes three of four electric utilities in Ohio continued their programs despite the freeze.

"If the freeze were extended, it doesn't support those utilities,” he points out. “It makes it harder for those utilities to take the least-cost options that would most benefit your average ratepayer."

Rinebolt adds that the clean energy standards would help boost programs that help homeowners save energy and lower utility bills.

"Energy efficiency and weatherization services are critical to low-income families, and we've been very successful at working with the utilities,” he stresses. “We want the state government to promote the policies that will let us help more Ohioans afford their energy bills."

A 2015 report from Policy Matters Ohio found that investments in low-income weatherization programs in Ohio dropped nearly a quarter after the standards were suspended.





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Next week, the Kentucky Public Service Commission takes public comments in person on a long-term plan by the state's major utilities.

The hearing is set for July 12 at 9 a.m. in Frankfort.

Rachel Norton, energy specialist for the Mountain Association, explained utilities' Integrated Resource Plan is a look ahead at the types and amount of power they expect to generate in the decades to come, based on population-size estimates and other factors. The Mountain Association is among the groups arguing the plan ignores energy efficiency and continues to rely on coal.

Norton said some people may be unaware of how the state commission works to keep energy rates reasonable.

"We are really trying to educate folks about the fact that we have a Public Service Commission," Norton pointed out. "The fact that they are essentially protection between us and the utility companies, from the utility companies just raising rates as much as their shareholders might want."

People can fill out a short online form to sign up to speak at the hearing at k4ed.org. The utilities have told the commission their plan includes generating 18% of power from solar energy beginning in 2034, and reducing carbon emission by 26% from 2021 levels.

Deborah Gerth, a retired college instructor in Lexington, said she lives on a fixed income and is worried the utilities' plan does not include enough renewable energy, a trend she believes will end up costing customers more down the road.

"The lack of planning isn't just that it's not helping to address climate change," Gerth noted. "It's also a financial burden that needs to be, I think, put in front of people, as they're thinking about the utility companies."

Norton emphasized as Kentuckians navigate increasing heat waves, flooding, and ice storms from climate change, investing in solar could help ensure utilities are generating clean power. She thinks the shift to solar could also boost local economies.

"So, I see a huge opportunity to really invest in energy efficiency in our homes and businesses," Norton contended. "And being able to pay local people to do that work."

She added continuing to rely heavily on coal also puts people's health at risk. A 2019 report revealed toxic chemicals found in coal ash pollution have compromised Kentucky's drinking water.

Local elected officials are calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to halt all permitting for future oil and gas projects, in light of recent progress with offshore wind.

The feds are getting ready to hold a lease auction in August or September for sites off Morro Bay to build floating wind turbines.

Andy Pease, a member of the San Luis Obispo city council, said the potential for offshore wind on the Central Coast and for Humboldt County is huge; enough to power 1.6 million homes.

"There's no reason to be having new gas extraction permits or any fossil fuels," Pease contended. "We need to leave those in the ground. We've got the capability. Let's make it happen."

Newsom has already pledged to cease all fracking permits by 2024. Groups fighting climate change would like him to take the next step and also block any expansion of oil drilling. Opponents want oil and gas to remain part of the energy mix and say jobs in the field are at risk.

John Headding, mayor of Morro Bay, said the floating offshore turbines will take at least six years to come to fruition, because the state would need to build a deep-water port nearby.

"This new renewable industry is a significant step in our efforts to help address the climate crisis," Headding asserted. "And help California reach its goal of achieving 100% renewable and carbon-free electricity by 2045."

Habib Joseph Dagher, professor of civil and structural engineering at the University of Maine, has designed and deployed a prototype, which successfully fed into the New England electric grid as part of a project called Aqua Ventus.

"The advantages of floating is that you can put them beyond the horizon," Dagher pointed out. "So people don't see them from land, you can also have a lot more places you can put them that would minimize impact on the environment, minimize impact on wildlife, and also minimize impacts on other users, such as fishing and so forth."

The turbines would be about 20 miles offshore and would feed electricity into the grid at night.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) announced it will soon accept public comments on drafting rules to regulate underground carbon-dioxide pipelines. The emerging technology is touted as a climate change solution, but environmental groups are skeptical.

The PUC recently declared it has regulatory authority over such pipelines, after it was initially believed only county governments in Minnesota had a say.

Maggie Schuppert, campaigns director for Clean Up the River Environment (CURE), said they are happy the state is getting involved, and think the projects are being rushed without enough public engagement.

"We haven't seen anything like these before, these kinds of pipelines and what they'll be carrying through them," Schuppert pointed out. "And so, there's just a huge amount of unknown risks and concerns, and that requires -- in some sense, we think -- an even stronger vetting and oversight process."

Companies like Summit Carbon Solutions want to capture carbon dioxide from ethanol plants and route it through pipelines in multiple states for underground storage.

Summit contends the PUC does not have authority in this case, prompting an unnecessary review. But the Commission said it's acting within its scope. It expects the public comment period to begin later in June or early July.

The Commission suggested there might be stronger demand for such projects in the future, and drafting rules makes sense. Schuppert acknowledged if permits are eventually filed, they might win approval. But CURE feels there should at least be a system in place for anyone to speak up.

"We think it's the bare minimum for them to give the public, give impacted people from communities, a process to which they can have input into," Schuppert contended. "And then also, you know, the really important role that they play in terms of requiring the companies to provide certain information."

The Summit project would cover portions of western Minnesota. Concerns voiced by environmental groups and tribal governments include pipelines rupturing and the potential impact on water sources. Summit said it is committed to working with the state. It said its project is safe and would be an economic boost to the region.