Ohio plan would fine utilities that fail to increase greener energy

DATELINE: COLUMBUS Ohio

Electric companies would have a strict timetable to increase production from alternative sources with less pollution and would be fined for failure to meet benchmarks, under a plan outlined Thursday by House Republicans.

The proposal would require that alternative energy sources, such as wind and solar energy, reach 12 1/2 percent of all power sources by 2024, which is the same ultimate goal supported by Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland and Republicans who control the Senate.

However, House Speaker Jon Husted also wants to require benchmarks each year for increasing the alternative energy sources, starting with a 0.25 percent increase by the end of next year. The pace would quicken in succeeding years through 2024.

Both plans would allow nuclear power and advanced coal technology that produces less pollution to count toward utilities' green power goals.

Still to be determined is how regulation of the plan would work, how to proceed to buying power on an open market and what the bill to ratepayers would be. Husted insisted that any fines paid by utilities be absorbed by their shareholders, not their customers. The amount of the fines has not be specified.

Ohio Consumers' Counsel Janine Migden-Ostrander, whose agency represents residential customers, praised the plan as ultimately meaning lower electric bills.

The ambitious energy plan proposed by Strickland cleared the Senate in October but has languished in the House since.

Asked at a news conference the timetable for passage of the House plan, Husted, a Dayton-area Republican, said, "Soon."