Is there a looming electricity crisis ahead for Ohio? Or is the concern over an electricity shortfall an empty threat being used as an excuse to hit consumers and businesses with higher bills to keep the lights on and machines running?
Last week, a panel of Ohio and Pennsylvania legislators heard from experts warning of a potential shortage in coming years in those states and others served by PJM Interconnection, the agency that oversees the flow of electricity in all or parts of 13 states and the District of Columbia.
It followed a similar hearing that was held in Pennsylvania last year.
“These hearings are intended to elevate the urgency of lost generation through the early forced retirement of our existing fossil fuel fleet and the rapidly growing need for additional, affordable generation,” Rep. Dick Stein, R-Norwalk and chairman of the House Public Utilities committee, said as he led last week’s hearing. “I hope that together, government at all levels will work to solve this upcoming crisis to avoid a life-threatening catastrophic failure to our grid.”