House Energy Committee hears broad proponent testimony on House Bill 15 to remake Ohio power markets

COLUMBUS — The Ohio House Energy Committee spent more than three hours on proponent testimony for House Bill 15, a sweeping rewrite of state electricity policy that would remove several legacy subsidies, end the electric security plan (ESP) mechanism, prohibit distribution utilities from owning generation and create a new Consumer Choice Billing program.

The hearing brought dozens of business groups, generators, consumer advocates and policy organizations to the podium to support the bill’s stated goal of restoring competitive markets for power generation and protecting residential customers from certain charges. Maureen Willis, director of the Ohio Consumers’ Council, testified “OCC supports HB 15” and said the agency represents “Ohio’s 4,500,000 residential utility households.”

Why it matters: Proponents said HB 15 would put generation procurement back to market forces instead of allowing utilities to collect above‑market charges through ESP riders, reforms they said would lower costs, encourage investment in new generation and reduce ratepayer subsidies for legacy plants.

What supporters told the committee

- Market and consumer arguments: Witnesses from industry and consumer groups told the committee that Ohio’s experience with competition has produced sustained customer savings. Melvin Nickerson, director of government affairs for NRG, said competitive markets are “working abundantly, robustly for Ohio.” Kim Boiko, testifying for the Ohio Manufacturers Association, cited a Cleveland State study and told members that “between 2011 and ’18, businesses and residential customers have saved approximately $24,000,000,000, with an expected additional $3,000,000,000 per year in savings going forward.”

- Ending legacy subsidies and ESPs: Multiple witnesses urged immediate repeal of the OVEC (Ohio Valley Electric Corporation) legacy subsidies created by prior legislation and the repeal of…