Bill > HB303

This bill establishes a community energy pilot program in Ohio to promote local, small-scale renewable energy generation. The program will certify up to 1,500 megawatts of community energy facilities, with 250 megawatts certified annually, including a separate 500-megawatt allocation for facilities on distressed sites or commercial/public rooftops. Community energy facilities must meet specific criteria, such as having at least three subscribers, being located within an electric utility's service territory, and having a capacity of 10 megawatts or less (20 megawatts for distressed sites or rooftop installations). Subscribers can receive bill credits for their proportional share of the facility's electricity generation, with restrictions to ensure broad participation and prevent any single subscriber from dominating the facility. The bill requires electric distribution utilities to interconnect these facilities, establish a net crediting program, and issue bills that include subscription fees and bill credits. Large industrial and mercantile customers are excluded from the program, and residential and commercial non-participants will not be charged for program costs. The public utilities commission will oversee the program, convene a stakeholder working group, and conduct a comprehensive review after four years to assess the program's effectiveness, costs, and benefits. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for facility decommissioning, requiring community energy organizations to maintain a bond and follow specific removal and site restoration procedures.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb303