Ohio Lawmakers Embrace Nuclear Energy

The Ohio General Assembly has sent Gov. Ted Strickland (D) sweeping energy legislation that includes Nuclear Energy in the new state definition of technologies that generate “clean” electricity. Strickland has said that he will sign the bill into law.

The definition is significant, as the bill would require that 25 percent of the electricity sold in Ohio by 2025 be generated by a combination of “advanced energy projects,” including nuclear, and renewable sources. Advanced energy projects and renewables each would be required to provide half of the 25 percent total, or 12.5 percent each. The bill establishes specific generation targets for solar energy among its renewable requirement.

The legislation, Amended Substitute Senate Bill 221, passed the Ohio House and Senate overwhelmingly and closely conforms to key clean energy objectives that the Governor outlined for lawmakers a year ago. SB 221 also would enact new electricity rate regulations and energy efficiency standards. The Governor praised the bipartisan measure before audiences in several Northeast Ohio cities, calling it a key economic development tool for the state.

(A tip of the hat to MM.)

Comments

Anonymous said…

I think there is less here than it originally appears. The 12.5% "advanaced energy" mandate is already met by existing nuclear units. As written it does not appear to encourage new nuclear since any nuclear construction would exceed the advanced energy mandate and take capital away from the renewable target. The 12.5% renewables will be met by heavily subsidized (or losing projects imposed on the utiities) via windmills. When the targets aren't met they will probably be conveniently forgotten.

April 25, 2008 at 8:52 AM

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