natural
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 […]
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 […]
House passes bill blocking cities from banning natural gas
The state House of Representatives passed legislation last week that would block Ohio cities from limiting or banning residents from obtaining natural gas or propane services for their homes. All House Republicans and two Democrats voted in favor of House Bill 201, which would undercut potential efforts from cities taking a go-at-it alone approach to […]
House to consider blocking cities from banning natural gas
An Ohio House committee sent legislation to the floor Wednesday that would prohibit local governments from blocking consumers from obtaining natural gas hookups. House Bill 201, as passed by Republicans on the House Energy Committee, prohibits cities from passing laws that “limits the use of, prohibits, or prevents residential, commercial, or industrial consumers within their […]
State Republicans seek to ban cities from limiting natural gas development
Ohio lawmakers are considering a pair of bills that would block cities and counties from opting out of pipeline projects or limiting the use of natural gas. Lobbyists representing the coal and natural gas industries appeared before the House Energy and Natural Resources committee Wednesday in support. House Bill 192 would prohibit city or county […]