Ohio2026Passed Legislature

HB15

Ohio Law on Electric Service and Brownfield Cleanup

Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 4:32 AM

In one sentence

This law changes rules for electric utilities, creates a grant program to clean up old industrial sites in areas hurt by the coal industry decline, modifies utility taxes, and removes parts of an older bill.

Amends laws about competitive retail electric service and gas utility regulations.
Creates a new program that gives grants to clean up brownfields and former coal mines.
Allows local governments to ask the state director to name areas as priority investment zones for tax breaks.
Sets aside money in a special fund so each county can receive at least one million dollars for cleanup projects, or a smaller share if total funding is low.
Removes specific sections of law that were part of H.B. 6 from the previous General Assembly.

Electric and gas utility companies operating in Ohio
Local governments including cities, townships, and counties
Organizations or businesses applying for grants to clean up old industrial sites
The state director of development who manages the new grant program

Grants for priority investment area projects cannot be used to build new electric generating infrastructure.
No single grant can exceed ten million dollars for eligible projects in designated areas.
The text provided does not list the specific rules or standards the director must use to approve these designations.

Plain language

Brownfield: An abandoned, idle, or under-used property where cleanup is needed because of hazardous substances.
Priority Investment Area: A specific zone designated by the state for special support and tax exemptions to help areas hurt by the coal industry decline.
Lead Entity: The group, such as a county or city government, that applies for grants on behalf of a cleanup project.

Official record

Source attached

Amend competitive retail electric service law

Official activity