Buckeye Reporter

The Buckeye Institute presented its testimony before the Ohio Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee regarding Ohio Senate Bill 275. Greg R. Lawson, a research fellow at The Buckeye Institute, emphasized that while "Senate Bill 275 does not address every energy issue the state faces," it makes progress by facilitating additional power generation in Ohio.

Lawson outlined several key provisions of the bill, including the construction of new power generators on brownfields to increase domestic power production and address redevelopment needs. The bill also permits solar collectors and natural gas microturbines to be installed on these sites. Additionally, it authorizes a distributed energy network through virtual net metering to alleviate transmission bottlenecks and expedite the delivery of new power supplies to end-users.

Lawson highlighted that these projects would rely on private investments rather than public funding, thus avoiding taxpayer-funded subsidies. He urged lawmakers to adopt "smart energy policies like those in Senate Bill 275" to facilitate energy supply for Ohio consumers.

In his prepared statement, Lawson addressed committee members Chair Reineke, Vice Chair McColley, Ranking Member Smith, and others by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to discuss Senate Bill 275. He noted that as Ohio's economy evolves with increasing demands from sectors like cloud computing and semiconductor plants, it is essential for supply strategies to keep pace with demand.

He reiterated that although Senate Bill 275 does not solve all energy issues faced by Ohio, it takes significant steps forward. By enabling quick construction of additional power generators and using brownfields for new installations without relying on public funds, the bill supports necessary infrastructure development without market-distorting subsidies.

Lawson concluded by stating that as Ohio transitions from its Rust Belt past into a future requiring adequate energy resources for growth and prosperity, policies like those proposed in Senate Bill 275 will play a crucial role in meeting these demands.