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Statehouse Compromise Means Alternative Energy Goals Will Stay In place

A leading state senator says Ohio's alternative-energy targets will remain in place for now under a legislative compromise.

Senate Public Utilities Chairman Bill Seitz says he's backed off a proposal to eliminate requirements for the use of renewables at the end of this year. The Cincinnati Republican said a compromise bill expected Tuesday will keep Ohio's renewables rules in place through December 2018. Proposed revisions also eliminate Canadian hydropower as an eligible alternative and cap benefits returned to utilities from energy efficiency. The legislation revisited a 2008 Ohio law under which utilities were required to produce 25 percent of their energy from either renewable or alternative sources by 2025. Seitz said he's hopeful the changes will allow the bill to clear committee after Thanksgiving.