OH advocates warn repeal of clean energy credits driving up utility bills

By Farah Siddiqi

Ohioans are facing rising electric bills amid a rollback of federal clean energy tax credits which once provided relief.

Advocates said the cuts are stalling renewable energy projects and leaving the state unprepared for surging demand from new industries.

Karin Nordstrom, attorney for the Ohio Environmental Council, said repealing clean energy tax credits for both residential consumers and large developers has reversed progress on energy affordability and investment.

"The repeal of federal energy tax credits, both for residential consumers and for large developers, is rolling back huge opportunities for investment in Ohio and opportunities for Ohioans to reduce their utility bills," Nordstrom explained.

Supporters of the repeal argued the tax credits were costly and unfairly benefited wealthy households and corporations.

Nordstrom noted the effects of the federal cuts are compounded by Ohio’s fast-growing demand for electricity. Data centers and other new industries are straining supply across the PJM regional transmission area, driving up costs for households.

Rep. Mike Carey, R-Ohio, is among those who voted to repeal the credits, a move drawing criticism from clean energy advocates like Nordstrom.

"We're facing staggering increases to our utility bills," Nordstrom pointed out. "People have seen as much as 50% increases on their electricity bills this summer. One of the fixes is getting more energy on the grid, and one of the best ways to do that is solar energy."

Advocates said Ohio needs to be ready for growth but it can only do so if it expands clean energy capacity. They continue to urge residents to keep pressing elected officials to support affordable power and investment in renewables.