The battle over Ohio's energy efficiency and renewable energy rules waged past midnight Wednesday.
View full sizeThe sun sets on the high-voltage transmission lines near the Avon Lake power plant. COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Gov. John Kasich remained silent Thursday on an early morning vote of his Republican colleagues in the state senate approving a two-year freeze of energy efficiency and renewable energy laws.
But Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ed FitzGerald quickly proved he will make energy an issue in his campaign to unseat Kasich. He taunted his rival to immediately veto the measure.
"Today's vote threatens to move Ohio's economy backwards. Senate Bill 310 is undeniably detrimental for our state's job growth, working families, and environment," FitzGerald said in a written statement.
"The governor needs to do all that he can to protect Ohio's economy and middle class, and veto this bill."
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson added his concerns on the issue just before noon.
"I am calling on the Governor and the Ohio House to continue support of strong energy efficiency and renewable energy standards as included in Senate Bill 221 (approved in 2008). These standards have been good for Cleveland's residents, businesses and our community as a whole. Repealing these standards puts Ohio behind and does not position us for the future. It will harm our clean energy and energy efficient economy and lessen our energy resilience.
"I urge Governor Kasich to do whatever is necessary to preserve these standards."
The GOP Senate majority feuded with Kasich behind closed doors for more than 18 hours Wednesday in a battle played out against a national and global debate about climate change.
In a nearly solid party-line vote, the Senate approved legislation by a 21 to 12 vote at 1:06 a.m Thursday that allowed a two-year freeze of Ohio's five-year-old energy laws.
Only one Democrat voted for the measure, Sen. Shirley Smith, of Cleveland. Three Republicans -- Sens.Gayle Manning of North Ridgeville, Randy Gardner of Bowling Green and Bill Beagle of Tipp City voted against the legislation.
The bill had been repeatedly rewritten and read in acrimonious sessions of the Senate's utilities committee, chaired by Sen. William Seitz, a Cincinnati Republican, whose own more comprehensive proposal failed in December.
Ohio's efficiency and renewable rules, approved by all but one lawmaker in 2008, have required electric utilities to help customers use less power annually through the installation of energy efficient appliances, equipment and lighting while selling an increasing amount of power generated by wind and solar technologies.
SB 310 now moves to the Ohio House, which is expected to approve a similar -- if not more severe -- measure within weeks, before lawmakers leave to began their re-election campaigns.
House Speaker William Batchelder, a Republican from Medina, issued a statement in support of the legislation.
"Our caucus has worked tirelessly over the last several years to reduce government mandates so we can maintain an environment that promotes job growth and preserves existing jobs in Ohio. While well-intentioned, Senate Bill 221 (approved in 2008) created many mandates that will leave consumers paying these increasing costs unless properly reviewed and updated. While renewable energy is an absolutely critical component to have as part of a responsible energy policy, the situation created by Senate Bill 221 is unsustainable for the long-term stability of our state's energy portfolio and Ohio's consumers.
As rewritten late last night, the legislation would freeze all efficiency and renewable mandates at 2014 levels while a committee of 12 lawmakers continues to debate the merits of such requirements.
The rules would automatically return in 2017 -- unless lawmakers decided otherwise.
FirstEnergy Corp. has complained bitterly about the efficiency rules for about two years. It's lobbyists earlier tried to quietly add language halting the programs to unrelated bills.
Rural and downstate GOP majorities have tried to eliminate or weaken the mandates since last fall with proposed legislation that often sparked angry closed-door debates.
Wind farm and solar developers have testified the measure will kill further development in Ohio. Energy efficiency advocates have argued the efficiency mandates have saved more money than they have cost.
And Christian groups, including the Catholic Bishops of Ohio, have urged lawmakers to consider their stewardship responsibilities to "care for creation." The conference of bishops sent a letter and reflection to Ohio Senate and House on Wednesday.
Jeremy Pelzer of the Northeast Ohio Media Group contributed to this article.