State lawmakers are working on a bill that could effectively bailout the state鈥檚 two nuclear power plants. A piece of draft legislation would create subsidies, rewarding nuclear for not emitting carbon.
The proposal crafted by Republican Representative Jamie Callender would allow a new charge on electric bills.
The unofficial language would cap those new charges per month at $2.50 for residential customers, $20 for commercial users, and $250 for industrial users.
Callender鈥檚 office reiterates this is only a rough draft, saying there鈥檚 already a new rendition of the bill drawn up so details are expected to change.
Nuclear power has been struggling in the energy market against cheaper natural gas and stiff competition from other sources.
FirstEnergy Solutions, which used to be a subsidiary of FirstEnergy and owns Ohio鈥檚 two nuclear plants, has filed for bankruptcy but says it鈥檚 also pursuing legislative relief.
Opponents have suggested a so-called nuclear bailout would undermine renewable energy and efficiency programs.
