Bill > SB151

This bill allows competitive retail natural gas suppliers to offer customers the option to purchase "carbon offsets," which are verified instruments representing one metric ton of greenhouse gas removed from the atmosphere through methods like planting trees, capturing landfill methane, or improving energy efficiency. To implement this, suppliers must partner with a "carbon offset registry," a recognized entity that develops standards and verifies offsets, and then notify the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) of their voluntary program, detailing the types of offsets offered and how they will prevent "double counting," meaning selling the same offset multiple times or attributing it to multiple mitigation efforts. The bill also mandates that these programs do not impose costs on non-participating customers or natural gas companies, and customers must have the ability to opt in and out. The PUC can audit these programs to ensure compliance and accurate application of offsets.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/sb151