Legislation recently introduced in Ohio provides guidance to the state’s Power Siting Board on the intent of the General Assembly that the energy powering the Buckeye State should be “affordable, reliable and clean” and the energy produced and the manner in which it is produced shall rely on domestically sourced materials and “minimize reliance” on “foreign adversary nations for critical materials or manufacturing.”
According to the bill, an “affordable” energy source is one that has “a stable and predictable cost” and provides a “cost-effective means of heating, cooling, and generating electricity.” Further, “affordable” sources must deliver “substantial savings relayed to residential and commercial customers comparable to energy sources listed in 42 U.S.C. 15852(b), based on the average cost per unit of energy output calculated to include any direct or indirect payment by any level of government for the previous five years.” Those energy sources in the U.S. code being solar, wind, biomass, landfill gas, geothermal, municipal solid waste, or hydroelectric.
To be considered a “reliable” energy source, the bill demands the resource be “readily available at all times to meet energy demands with minimal interruptions during high-usage periods” and that, when used for power generation, the resource must have a “minimum capacity factor of fifty per cent,” that it’s electricity output is “dispatchable at all times and with the capability to ramp up or down electricity generation within one hour to stabilize the electrical grid,” and have the ability to “complement and provide backup to renewable energy resources during periods of low availability.”
“Dispatchable” power sources are those that can adjust to the electric grid on demand, such as a natural gas turbine, a coal plant, a hydroelectric dam, or a nuclear plant. Non-dispatchable power sources, such as solar and wind, cannot be turned on or off to meet demand and are highly intermittent. They are not continuously available 24 hours a day because of factors that cannot be controlled—such as cloud cover, daylight, wind speed, air density, and other variables—and are therefore unreliable.
“Capacity factor” is the measure of how often a power plant runs for a specific period, expressed as a percentage and calculated by dividing the actual unit of electricity output by the maximum possible output. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, solar had a capacity factor of just 23.4 percent in 2024, while wind’s capacity factor was just 34.3 percent. Comparatively, the capacity factor for nuclear power was 90.8 percent in 2024, while natural gas had a capacity factor of 59.7 percent, and coal 42.6 percent. So, a megawatt-to-megawatt swap from a dispatchable power source to these non-dispatchable sources results in a decrease in overall capacity. As more dispatchable sources of the grid are swapped for non-dispatchable sources, the grid becomes less reliable.
The bill considers a “clean” source to be any energy generated by natural or gas or nuclear or “any energy generated by utilizing those sources listed in 42 U.S.C. 15852(b) or hydrocarbons, which, when combusted for the purpose of electricity generation, meet the national ambient air quality standards set by the United States environmental protection agency under the authority of the Clean Air Act,” 42 U.S.C. 7401.
Finally, the bill defines a “domestic” fuel source as one “primarily produced within the United States,” and that “infrastructure security” means “infrastructure necessary to deliver energy to customers that minimizes reliance on foreign nations for critical materials or manufacturing.” “Foreign adversary nations” means the countries specified by name in 10 U.S.C. 4872(f)(2), which at this time are China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia.
Ohio policymakers should encourage a diversified mix of dispatchable, baseload energy sources that prioritize affordability, reliability, and environmental stewardship, as provided in this legislation. Ohio’s energy security depends on reliability. Dispatchable sources like natural gas and nuclear ensure the grid remains stable during peak demand, severe weather, or renewable intermittency.
A balanced energy framework guarantees dependable power for homes, hospitals, and manufacturers. Energy independence for Ohio also means economic resilience. Prioritizing American-produced fuel, particularly natural gas, which is in abundant supply in the Buckeye State, reduces exposure to hostile or unstable foreign suppliers, secures jobs, and keeps energy dollars in Ohio.
This certainty and reliability also attract capital. Reaffirming natural gas as “clean” energy reduces regulatory risk and invites long-term investment in power generation, manufacturing, and large data centers that require stable, affordable energy.
Affordable power also requires full transparency. By defining “affordable” using true cost accounting (i.e. excluding subsidies), Ohio can drive genuine competition, protect consumers, and reveal the hidden costs of intermittent or heavily subsidized sources.
Smart policy can serve both Ohioans and the planet. Natural gas and nuclear energy are clean, dispatchable, and proven. The “affordable, reliable, and clean” policy set forward in this legislation aligns environmental stewardship with economic strength, ensuring Ohio leads the nation in sustainable growth and reliability.
