Ohio lawmakers push to save customers money on energy bills

OHIO (WOWK) – Lawmakers in Ohio are pushing for a bill that would help residents in the state save on their energy bills.

A four-page bill introduced only a few weeks ago will help thousands of Ohio residents save money on their energy bills if it goes through.

House Bill 427, introduced by Representative Roy Klopfenstein, would establish voluntary demand response programs, in which energy consumers can allow utilities to temporarily adjust energy usage. This would help during peak summer and winter months, when air conditioning and heat usage are at their highest.

Customers would also have the ability to override those actions and opt out of the program altogether.

Representative Kevin Ritter, whose district falls in Meigs County, told 13 News, “By making participation entirely voluntary, Rep. Klopfenstein appears to have given great consideration to those who do not wish to be in the program. Conserving energy is essential, and if this helps us conserve while protecting individual rights, then I think it’s a positive step. I will continue to evaluate the bill, and I look forward to hearing testimony on it.”

The bill is awaiting a committee assignment.