gas
Ohio disconnection data still lacks detail on racial disparities
Consumer advocates still lack access to data that would let them determine the extent of any racial disparities in Ohio utility shutoffs for customers’ failure to pay gas and electric bills. Information about what share of disconnections affect people of color, low-income families, seniors or other vulnerable groups would be an important step toward making […]
A lot of hot air from the gas stove debate
Growing up in West Texas, our family tells a story about a lightning strike that either hit, or nearly hit, a billboard in our neighborhood. It said: “Gas Cooks Better Than Electricity.” In our contemporary era where anything can be an outrage, our latest political spat happens to be about whether or not Biden is […]
In attempt to curb gas prices, Biden will release oil from emergency reserve
President Biden authorized the release of 15 million barrels of oil from the nation’s reserves Wednesday, part of an effort to lower gas prices as polling shows concerns over inflation are likely to hurt Democrats in congressional elections next month. The release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, a four-site complex of deep underground storage caverns […]
House Republicans propose free loans, tax breaks for new gas pipelines
Two state House Republicans proposed legislation to give some natural gas pipeline developers state-funded tax breaks and interest-free loans, while allowing them to add a surcharge to ratepayers’ monthly bills. Reps. Jay Edwards, of Nelsonville, and Jon Cross, of Kenton, proposed House Bill 685 to aid communities that they say lose out on economic gains […]
Millions of Ohioans facing home gas and electric rate hikes
Ohio utility companies have asked state regulators for permission to raise home gas, electric and water costs on more than 2.75 million Ohio customers. Those charges could be spread between customers of Columbia Gas, AES Ohio, Duke Energy, and Aqua Ohio. The utilities, all investor-owned, are collectively asking for another $400 million in annual charges. […]
Gas, electric companies cut off 270,000 Ohioans amid pandemic and billions in profit
Seven gas and electric companies in Ohio shut off service due to nonpayment more than 270,000 times over one year during the pandemic as their corporate parents reported billions in profits, according to an analysis of regulatory and financial flings. After prohibiting gas and electric shutoffs for the early months of the pandemic, the Public […]
Clean energy future? Fossil fuel boondoggle? Chamber pushes for hydrogen hub in Ohio
An association of natural gas, transportation and tech businesses are pushing for a piece of an $8 billion federal investment to create a “clean hydrogen hub” in Ohio. Hydrogen, the most abundant chemical element in the universe, could overtake coal, oil, and gas as America’s predominant source of energy, its proponents say. It’s lightweight and […]
Ohio pensions have $38 mil in Russian-owned gas company; $147 mil more in region
Two Ohio public employee pension programs currently have a combined $38 million invested a Russian state-owned natural gas company, while another pension program has $147 million invested in the region. The Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) has about $25.1 million invested in Gazprom in a combination of stocks and bonds, according to a spokesman. […]
DeWine signs bill blocking Ohio cities from banning natural gas
Gov. Mike DeWine signed into state law Thursday legislation that blocks cities or counties from banning natural gas or propane hookups to decarbonize new buildings. This makes Ohio one of 19 states that have either passed what’s known as a natural gas “preemption” bill into law or will do so soon upon gubernatorial approval, according […]
Bill creating new hurdles for wind and solar heads to governor
State GOP lawmakers passed legislation around 1 a.m. Tuesday morning that bestows new powers unto county commissioners, allowing them kill wind and solar projects early in their development. The bill, which now goes to Gov. Mike DeWine for consideration, would also allow commissioners to block wind or solar development in all or part of an […]
Senate committee eyes vote to shield natural gas from cities’ bans
Update: The Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee passed House Bill 201 at 10 a.m. Tuesday. An Ohio Senate committee could vote out legislation Tuesday that would shield the natural gas industry from the potential of cities seeking to crack down on fossil fuel emissions. If passed, House Bill 201 would block any city or […]
Senate passes bill creating new hurdles for wind, solar development
The Ohio Senate passed legislation Wednesday granting new powers to county commissions to scuttle wind and solar development projects. Senate Bill 52 would require the green energy developers — before filing a separate application with the state Power Siting Board that currently exists in law — to hold a public hearing with advance notice to […]