CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Greater Cleveland Partnership is calling on Ohio lawmakers to repeal and possibly replace House Bill 6, the $1.3 billion nuclear plant bailout law that federal authorities say was the product of a massive corruption scheme.
“We recommend a repeal and replace stance on HB 6 to remove the alleged stain of corruption on the law and to enable the restoration of the energy efficiency programs supported by our members,” said Joe Roman, President and CEO of the GCP. “Our membership continues to encourage policies that provide incentives for businesses to leverage energy programming to foster growth. We recognize a level of flexibility may be needed to meet those goals, reverse HB 6, and balance Ohio’s energy environment. Extending the use and access to nuclear power may be appropriate, but policy must harness additional solutions that exist and look toward emerging sources.”
The statement was approved by the business group’s board of directors “and serves as a strong continuation of members’ long-standing energy policy principles,” the GCP statement said.
Ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and four of his allies were arrested in July and charged with using $60 million in bribe money from FirstEnergy and affiliates to secure passage of House Bill 6.
A select committee of lawmakers is considering whether to repeal and replace the law.
The nuclear bailout is funded by new monthly surcharges ranging from 85 cents for residential customers to as much as $2,400 for large industrial plants.
This story will be updated.
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