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SD public defense duties shift from counties to state; SCOTUS appears skeptical of restricting government communications with social media companies; Trump lawyers say he can't make bond; new scholarships aim to connect class of 2024 to high-demand jobs.

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The SCOTUS weighs government influence on social media, and who groups like the NRA can do business with. Biden signs an executive order to advance women's health research and the White House tells Israel it's responsible for the Gaza humanitarian crisis.

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Midwest regenerative farmers are rethinking chicken production, Medicare Advantage is squeezing the finances of rural hospitals and California's extreme swing from floods to drought has some thinking it's time to turn rural farm parcels into floodplains.

A New Clash Brews Over Ohio’s Clean-Energy Standards

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Wednesday, March 15, 2017   

COLUMBUS, Ohio – With Ohio's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Standards still thawing after a two-year freeze, there's another clash brewing over clean energy at the Statehouse.

The House Public Utilities Committee held a hearing on Tuesday on House Bill 114. It would change the renewable standards passed in 2008 into voluntary goals, and reduce energy-efficiency targets.

Supporters of the bill argue that the standards kill competition. But Alli Gold Roberts, policy program manager for Ceres, a nonprofit alliance of environmental and investor groups, says the standards hold utilities accountable and spur utility investments in clean energy.

"States without these standards don't see this type of growth with their utilities, or the same types of offerings for companies and investors," she said. "These policies are ultimately drivers of economic development for the state, and without them, we don't know if that will continue."

Proponents of the bill cite a recent report from the Buckeye Institute, a conservative think-tank, that said continuing the standards would eliminate thousands of jobs and up to $15 billion of the state's Gross Domestic Product. Others say the report is an exception, and that most studies have shown considerable benefits from renewables.

Rep. Bill Seitz, the committee chair, said he expects a floor vote on the bill by the end of March.

Samantha Williams, a staff attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council, says the clean energy and renewable energy industry is already responsible for 100,000 jobs in Ohio, along with other benefits.

"They help reduce energy prices overall across the entire state," she said. "And in the case of energy efficiency, they also give customers access to programs that help them cut their energy use. But also, renewable energy and energy efficiency help protect public health by cutting harmful air pollution."

The Republican-led General Assembly passed similar legislation (SB 320) in December, attempting to extend the freeze on the mandates for another two years.

But, attorney Colleen Mooney with Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy says not all Republican leaders were on board.

"Governor Kasich, who has always supported the energy efficiency and renewable plan, vetoed the legislation the last days of the year," she said.

House Bill 114 backers say they have enough support to override any attempts at a veto this time around. There has been no companion bill introduced in the state Senate.


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