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Manufacturers, developers and generators tell committee HB15 would spur private investment and keep Ohio competitive for data centers and industry
Summary
Manufacturers, merchant generators and trade groups said HB15 would signal predictable policy, encourage generation investment, and help Ohio compete for data centers and large industrial loads; witnesses recommended clarifications for tax and program transitions and urged preservation of some utility-run reliability programs.
Manufacturers, merchant developers and major generators told the House Energy Committee that House Bill 15 would send an important market signal to investors and help keep Ohio competitive for data centers, industrial users and new private generation.
Kim Boyko of the Ohio Manufacturers Association said Ohio’s competitive market has produced “lower wholesale electricity prices, the replacement of outdated power plants and advancements in technology.” Boyko told the committee Ohioans have already paid roughly $670 million for OVEC-related subsidies and that the subsidies should end immediately.
Representatives of merchant generators said the bill creates regulatory certainty that would attract private investment. Ron Perrell, president of the Ohio Independent Power Producers, told lawmakers his members “have invested over $6,900,000,000 developing and constructing 7,000 megawatts of new generation in Ohio in the last 10 years.” He added that repeal of OVEC subsidies would not force those plants to close because operating agreements and other revenue streams exist, but that ratepayers should no longer subsidize those facilities.
NRG and Vistra said tax relief and removing market-distorting subsidies are key to bringing generation into the state. Melvin Nickerson of NRG said removing a tax on generation and restoring competitive signals will encourage independent power producers to build. Arnie Quinn of Vistra said the bill “levels the playing field in Ohio” and—by removing ratepayer-backed guarantees for new generation—makes it more likely private investors will bear project risk rather than customers.
Speakers also discussed behind‑the‑meter and co‑located generation, microgrids and the need for clearer interconnection rules to make customer‑sited projects feasible. Several witnesses urged the committee to preserve certain interruptible and economic‑development programs that large manufacturers use for reliability and price relief unless the statute is amended to replace those functions.
Witnesses asked for clarifications on the tangible personal property tax and on timelines for removing subsidy riders so that the transition protects reliability and preserves programs that some large employers depend on.
