DeWine supports nuclear power in Ohio

SANDUSKY — Supporters of a bill seeking to keep Ohio's two nuclear power plants open are pleased Gov. Mike DeWine is in favor of nuclear power. House Bill 6 seeks to impose a fee on electrical bills to provide funding for "green" power sources that don't feed global warming and would earmark some of the money to keep Davis-Besse near Oak Harbor open as well as the Perry nuclear plant near Cleveland.The measure is in a House committee awaiting action. Supporters and opponents of the bill have been debating whether the proposal would be a reduction compared to current fees on electrical bills to support green energy. H.B. 6 supporters say their bill would be cheaper for most customers.DeWine has not endorsed the bill but told reporters in Columbus a few days ago nuclear power needs to play a role in providing reliable energy in Ohio and reducing carbon emissions.DeWine's chief spokesman, Dan Tierney, said the governor favors an "all of the above" strategy for energy and favors wind and solar while also believing nuclear energy must play a role."The governor thinks nuclear is an important part of making sure that we have clean energy," Tierney said. The governor "appreciates the discussion being brought forward," he said.Tierney, pressed on what DeWine thinks about H.B. 6, said he can't go beyond what DeWine has said so far.State Rep. Steve Arndt, R-Port Clinton, who supports H.B. 6, said DeWine's comments are helpful.Arndt contrasted DeWine's attitude to that of former Gov. John Kasich, who Arndt said expressed little support for nuclear energy and did not support efforts to keep Davis-Besse open.It's not unreasonable for DeWine to want to wait to see the final version of House Bill 6 before endorsing it, as legislation often is changed as it moves through the Ohio General Assembly, Arndt said. If the governor makes encouraging remarks and asks lawmakers for their best work, that's all that can reasonably be expected, Arndt said.A substitute version of House Bill 6 was introduced on Thursday, and on Thursday afternoon, the Ohio House Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy Generation approved the bill 5-3, sending it to the full committee for action, possibly next week. The Ohio Clean Energy Jobs Alliance, a government, business and labor coalition, said the latest version of the bill has stronger provisions to encourage development of solar power, wind power and energy efficiency."The revised legislation protects existing clean energy efforts and promotes future initiatives. That is why IBEW Local 245 and the other 42 labor leaders in our coalition support House Bill 6," said Larry Tscherne, business manager of IBEW Local 245, one of the labor unions in the coalition. State Rep. Jamie Callender, R-Concord Township, could not be reached for comment, but an aide said more action on the bill was expected next week.The Davis-Besse nuclear power plant. Mike DeWine