Ohio Senate Committee Renews Debate On Clean-Energy Standards

Environmentalists and others are getting a chance to defend an Ohio law that imposes alternative-energy requirements on Ohio power companies.

Ohio Senate Public Utilities Chairman Bill Seitz, a Cincinnati Republican, reopened debate on thresholds for clean-energy use earlier this year. His committee hears today from opponents of a bill that would revise the thresholds. Under a 2008 state law, Ohio utilities must produce 12.5 percent of their electricity from renewables like solar and wind, or greener alternatives such as clean coal, by 20-25. The law also set energy efficiency targets for the companies. Opponents of the mandates say they increase electric bills in a state whose rates are already higher than neighboring state. Supporters are expected to be armed with new findings on humanity's role in climate change.