Ohio Senate committee approves electric billing reform legislation

An Ohio Senate committee has passed a new energy bill aimed at reducing extra charges on customers' electric bills. The bill requires utility companies to undergo a full rate review every three years. This change addresses concerns that some companies, like FirstEnergy, have not had a rate review in over a decade. Supporters hope this will encourage new investment in natural gas power plants. The bill aims to end subsidies for certain coal plants in Ohio and Indiana that have cost customers nearly $680 million since 2019. It is seen as a way to hold utility companies accountable and potentially lower costs for consumers. In other news, the Cleveland Browns are working to amend their lawsuit related to relocating to Brook Park for a new stadium. They argue that moving just outside Cleveland does not violate local laws that prevent teams from leaving the city. The Browns want to break ground on the new $2.4 billion stadium by next year. Meanwhile, Ohio vaccination rates among kindergartners have declined, with only 85.4% now up to date on vaccinations—down from 86% last year. This is concerning as cases of measles are rising nationally. Health officials emphasize the importance of vaccinations to prevent outbreaks. Additionally, a new affordable housing investment fund has been launched in Cleveland, aiming to raise $100 million to support housing projects across the city. The fund will focus on providing low-interest loans and equity investments in underdeveloped areas. Lastly, a proposal called the Farm to Fly Act aims to develop sustainable aviation fuels using crops like corn, supporting both the agricultural and renewable energy sectors. This bipartisan effort is designed to create new markets for farmers while contributing to domestic energy production.