Today, the Ohio House Energy and Natural Resources Committee held its second hearing on House Bill 401, which will allow communities to put the fate of wind turbine projects on the ballot. This legislation takes ultimate approval away from the Ohio Power Siting Board and places it in the hands of townships.
The following statement can be attributed in full or in part to Miranda Leppla, advocate for the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) Action Fund:
“Ohio House Bill 401 will make the future of wind energy in Ohio, which is already badly handicapped, even more uncertain, as this bill allows for townships to choose to reject wind projects after they’ve been through the approval process at the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB). The OPSB’s process is rigorous, is science-based, and is the appropriate place to evaluate a wind project proposal.
“Neighboring states are moving toward a more sustainable, renewable energy future as they double down on a path toward more diversified energy portfolios. Ohio should be attracting the economic and environmental benefits that wind energy can bring, not putting up more barriers to developing projects in our state. We know that a majority of Ohioans support renewable energy projects as a way to fight against the negative impacts of climate change on our communities.”