The legislation, reportedly House Bill 294, seeks to amend state law to formally grant “clean energy” status to natural gas, the common term for methane. While sponsors argue the move is necessary to leverage Ohio’s abundant natural gas resources and ensure grid reliability, opponents say the proposal is a cynical attempt to greenwash a fossil fuel and undermine Ohio’s transition to lower-carbon energy.
A Legal Tilt Against Renewables
The primary impact of the bill would be felt in the state’s energy siting and permitting process. By designating natural gas as “clean energy,” the bill would require the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) to favor gas-fired power plants and infrastructure when reviewing applications for new energy projects.
This change is viewed by critics as another regulatory barrier for wind and solar projects, which already face significant hurdles in Ohio, including a 2021 law (S.B. 52) that gave county officials the power to ban large-scale renewable developments.
“To describe natural gas as ‘clean’ is disingenuous,” said Euclid Democratic Sen. Kent Smith. “When methane is burned, it emits carbon dioxide, the biggest driver of global warming. This bill seeks to legally turn the phrase on its head just to favor a fossil fuel over truly clean, renewable sources.”
Sponsors Point to Reliability and Resources
Sponsors of the bill, including Senator Andrew O. Brenner and Senator Mark Romanchuk, argue that the legislation is a pragmatic step to secure Ohio’s energy future. They cite the need for reliable, baseload power that can operate regardless of weather conditions—a role they contend natural gas is uniquely positioned to fill.
Ohio is a major producer of natural gas, ranking among the top few states nationally. Proponents say the state must maximize the use of its homegrown energy to keep costs low and power Ohio’s booming industrial and data center sectors. Some have also suggested the “clean energy” designation could help large gas users meet certain corporate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investment standards.
The proposal comes on the heels of other legislation aimed at attracting new generation projects by reducing property taxes on power plants and new infrastructure, which is expected to overwhelmingly benefit the natural gas industry. The debate over this new “clean energy” designation is likely to become a focal point of Ohio’s energy policy for the remainder of the session.