In a surprising twist, new legislation in Ohio proposes to categorize natural gas, a significant contributor to climate change, as “clean energy” within the state’s permitting framework. The proposed bill, introduced on Tuesday, also questions the reliability of renewable sources like wind and solar, citing their dependence on weather conditions in contrast to the continuous output of coal and gas plants.
The legislation, according to Sen. Mark Romanchuk, aims to “force” the Ohio Power Siting Board to prioritize energy projects deemed both clean and reliable under this new definition. This redefinition challenges the common understanding of clean energy, traditionally seen as sources that do not emit carbon dioxide or other pollutants.
House Bill 294 seeks to legally redefine natural gas, commonly known as methane, as clean energy. Despite natural gas emitting carbon dioxide when burned and its potential for methane leaks during extraction and transport, the bill pushes forward this new classification.
The proposal is still in its nascent stages and requires approval from the Senate, House, and the governor to become law. The influence of this legal shift would largely depend on the interpretation by the Ohio Power Siting Board and the Ohio Supreme Court, which holds a strong Republican majority.
HB294 outlines that Ohio should:
- Utilize “affordable, reliable, and clean energy sources,” centering around natural gas.
- Prioritize domestic energy production.
- Focus on infrastructure to deliver energy to Ohio consumers, likely referring to gas pipelines.
Ohio’s Natural Gas Resources and Economic Impact
Ohio ranks as the seventh-largest producer of natural gas in the United States, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The state’s natural gas industry is a significant economic driver, contributing tens of billions of dollars annually, largely due to the shale boom that began in 2010.
Sen. George Lang, a co-sponsor of the bill, emphasized the need for Ohio to capitalize on its natural gas resources, given the rising energy demands from sectors like artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency. “We need a tremendous amount of energy to succeed in business,” he stated during a Senate Energy Committee session.
Sen. Romanchuk argues that Ohio’s current laws already recognize natural gas as “green” energy and ties this definition to the federal Clean Air Act. However, Euclid Democratic Sen. Kent Smith expressed skepticism, suggesting the bill could skew energy project permits in favor of natural gas, thus potentially hindering the solar industry.
The Legislative Landscape for Energy in Ohio
Ohio law offers several advantages to the gas industry, such as the “unitization” concept, which permits drilling under non-consenting landowners if a majority within a unit agrees. Additionally, since 2022, state Republicans have allowed fracking leases on state lands, moving forward with gas development despite environmental opposition.
Recent legislation aims to attract more natural gas-fired power plants by reducing property tax rates for such developments. Moreover, laws have been enacted to prevent cities from banning natural gas hookups in new homes.
Challenges for Renewable Energy Projects
Ohio’s regulatory environment presents hurdles for renewable energy initiatives. Legislation passed in 2021 grants local governments the power to veto wind and solar projects, a power not extended to fossil fuel projects. Consequently, the Ohio Power Siting Board has rejected six solar projects since 2020, while no natural gas plant applications have been denied.
Original Story at signalohio.org