The bill amends section 4928.02 of the Revised Code and introduces new sections to establish a community energy program and pilot program in Ohio. It defines key terms related to electricity measurement and the development of community energy facilities, emphasizing the need for reliable and reasonably priced retail electric service while promoting consumer choice and distributed generation. The legislation encourages the creation of community energy facilities powered by renewable sources, detailing criteria such as subscriber requirements and capacity limits. A significant aspect of the bill is the establishment of a community energy pilot program, which aims to implement 1,500 megawatts of community energy facilities statewide, with the Public Utilities Commission responsible for certifying 250 megawatts annually until reaching a total of 1,000 megawatts.

Additionally, the bill outlines a structured certification process for community energy facilities, including the certification of an extra 500 megawatts for facilities on distressed sites or rooftops. It introduces provisions for bill credits for subscribers, mandates annual reporting by community energy organizations, and prohibits large industrial customers from participating in the pilot program. Consumer protection measures are also included, such as standardized disclosure forms and restrictions on upfront fees. The bill requires utilities to support the program by updating tariffs and mandates a review of the pilot program by the Public Utilities Commission after 48 months to assess its effectiveness and impact on costs and benefits for different customer classes. Notably, the existing section 4928.02 is repealed as part of this legislative update.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 4928.02
As Reported By House Committee: 4928.02
As Passed By House: 4928.02