April is the best chance yet to pass community solar bill
Ohio HB 197 would create a community solar pilot program in Ohio. The Rev. Craig Foster, Co-Chair of the diocese’s Creation Care and Environmental Justice Commission, and I met in March with leaders of Green Energy Ohio, who are very hopeful the House Public Utilities Committee will approve the bill early this month, sending it to the House floor for a vote. If it passes the House by a strong majority, that will greatly increase the bill’s chances of passing in the Ohio Senate.
This is where you come in! Please read Green Energy Ohio’s excellent overview of the bill, and edit the message to reflect your personal views.
If you support community solar on the basis of its benefits and your faith, are aware of successful community solar projects undertaken by congregations, or if your congregation would like to create one, please include that in your letter. Then click “send email’ – your message will be delivered to every member of the Ohio House Public Utilities Committee as they prepare for a final hearing on the bill.
HB 197 would establish a four-year community solar pilot program in Ohio, split among the territory of the three investor-owned utilities, and capped at 1,500 MW, allowing projects up to 10 MW. The Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA) predicts that hundreds of small projects could develop in cities and suburbs. The passage of HB 197 would enable congregations and other community-serving organizations to add solar arrays and invite neighbors who can’t afford rooftop solar to subscribe, reducing their monthly bills and benefitting all by reducing air pollution and dependence on fossil fuels.
Advocacy briefings are compiled by Ariel Miller, a longtime community advocate and member of Ascension & Holy Trinity, Wyoming. Connect with her at arielmillerwriter@gmail.com.
