Title
To encourage the State Legislature of Ohio to pass legislation to allow for the creation of a Community Energy Pilot Program.
Body
WHEREAS, community energy facilities allow customers to choose the source of their electricity, including customers that desire to purchase solar energy but do not have suitable conditions to install their own solar facility; and
WHEREAS, community solar facilities are a more decentralized, resilient, and efficient way to deliver electricity to ratepayers; and
WHEREAS, in June 2025, Ohioans saw a 26% increase on their electricity bills and community solar facilities have been shown to save households 5% to 20% on their electricity costs; and
WHEREAS, Ohio imports 20% of its energy and regional energy prices are increasing significantly, a community energy pilot program would produce energy locally, avoiding costly transmission upgrades and improving grid reliability for all ratepayers; and
WHEREAS, a study from Ohio University determined that a “Community Solar Pilot Program” would generate an estimated $5.6 billion in gross output and $409.5 million in local tax revenues; and
WHEREAS, Ohio based solar manufacturing companies and workers will benefit from local community solar projects enabled by this legislation; and
WHEREAS, twenty four states currently have specific enabling legislation for community energy, which provides a framework that supports the production of community energy facilities in those states;
WHEREAS, the Ohio House of Representatives passed HB 303 with a favorable vote of 77 to 8 on November 19, 2025; and
WHEREAS, this Council urges the Ohio Senate President and the Senate Energy Committee Chair to call HB 303 for its 1st hearing in the Ohio Senate; now, therefore
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THIS COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That is Council calls on the Ohio State Legislature to pass HB 303 and create the community energy pilot program.