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Ohio Republicans Propose New Energy Legislation
Bill aims to define 'affordable, reliable, and clean' energy, potentially excluding wind and solar projects
Published on Feb. 15, 2026
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Ohio Senate Republicans have introduced legislation, Senate Bill 294, that would define 'affordable, reliable, and clean energy sources' and add these criteria to the Ohio Power Siting Board's process for approving new power plants. Supporters say the bill will protect the grid's reliability, while opponents argue it is designed to boost natural gas generation while excluding wind and solar projects.
Why it matters
The legislation could reshape what electricity generation projects get built in Ohio for decades, influencing electricity costs, the state's ability to meet growing demand from data centers and AI, and the role of renewable energy in powering the grid. Environmental groups argue the bill's definitions of 'clean' and 'affordable' energy are misleading and could unfairly disadvantage wind and solar.
The details
The bill defines a 'reliable energy source' as one with a capacity factor of at least 50%, which would exclude many renewable energy sources. It also defines 'clean energy' based on meeting national air quality rules, rather than focusing on low- or zero-emission sources. The 'affordable energy' definition would include considering any government subsidies or payments over the previous 5 years, which critics say could skew the results against long-lived renewable resources.
- Senate Bill 294 was introduced in the Ohio Senate in February 2026.
The players
Senate Bill 294
Legislation introduced in the Ohio Senate that would define 'affordable, reliable, and clean energy sources' and add these criteria to the power plant approval process.
Ohio Power Siting Board
The state board responsible for approving new power plant projects in Ohio.
George Lang
Ohio state senator and sponsor of Senate Bill 294.
Mark Romanchuk
Ohio state senator and supporter of Senate Bill 294.
Nolan Rutschilling
Policy director at the Ohio Environmental Council, who argued against the definitions in Senate Bill 294.
What they’re saying
“The goal is to build generation that is super reliable.”
— Mark Romanchuk, Ohio State Senator (cleveland.com)
“Using the term clean energy to encompass resources with widely different emissions profiles risks confusion, legal ambiguity and inconsistent application in siting decisions.”
— Nolan Rutschilling, Policy Director, Ohio Environmental Council (cleveland.com)
“Ohio's energy policy will be guided by what actually lowers costs for consumers, not by political trends or short-term subsidies.”
— Lora Current Myers, American Legislative Exchange Council (cleveland.com)
What’s next
The Ohio Senate will continue to debate and consider amendments to Senate Bill 294 before a potential vote.
The takeaway
This legislation highlights the ongoing debate in Ohio over how to balance the goals of affordable, reliable, and clean energy. Critics argue the bill's definitions could unfairly exclude renewable energy sources like wind and solar, while supporters say it is necessary to ensure grid reliability. The outcome could have significant implications for Ohio's energy future.
