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House Votes To Pause Enforcement Of State's Green Energy Standards

Blue Creek Wind Farm in Van Wert County
Iberdrola Renewables
Blue Creek Wind Farm in Van Wert County

The House passed a bill that would stop the state from enforcing an increased use of green energy for three years. 

Supporters say the bill still requires energy companies to increase the use of alternative resources, but that it doesn't mandate yearly increases until the year 2020.

But opponents say this plan keeps kicking the can down the road on policies that they say helped progress the state’s green energy industry.

That includes Republican Representative Mike Duffey of Worthington.

“We can do energy efficiency and renewables without making the mandates for Ohioans, without giving control to utilities and without planning such large incentives that utilities have turned these programs into profit centers,” said Duffey.

The bill is expected to pass the Senate by the end of the week.

Copyright 2016 The Statehouse News Bureau

Andy Chow is a general assignment state government reporter who focuses on environmental, energy, agriculture, and education-related issues. He started his journalism career as an associate producer with ABC 6/FOX 28 in Columbus before becoming a producer with WBNS 10TV.