Emily Bacha, Vice President of Public Affairs, December 11, 2020
This week, the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) filed an amicus brief in support of the lawsuit filed by Columbus and Cincinnati to halt the House Bill 6 (HB 6) rider, a cost soon to hit the pockets of millions of Ohioans. The OEC supports the efforts of these two cities who have taken the initiative to protect Ohioans from the economic and environmental risks of HB 6.
On November 17, 2020, Plaintiffs City of Cincinnati and City of Columbus filed a Motion for Preliminary Injunction in their case before the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas to revoke authorization for electronic distribution utilities to charge customers for the so-called HB 6 Clean Air Fund Rider. However, with the clock ticking closer to the January 1, 2021 date of the Rider’s first collection, the Court has yet to schedule a hearing on this important motion.
“We believe a preliminary injunction is warranted to protect Ohioans from the rider HB 6 imposes on Ohioans’ pocketbooks and the damage it will do to our environment,” said Trent Dougherty, general counsel for the OEC. “We continue to learn new details regarding the corruption surrounding the passage of what many have called the worst energy bill of the 21st century. We must not only stop the costs and environmental damage unfairly saddled on Ohioans because of this bad policy, but we must also send a message to corporations that they cannot buy legislation in Ohio.”
The OEC looks forward to supporting the efforts of the cities in the weeks and months to come as the proceeding plays out in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. The OEC’s amicus brief can be reviewed on our website.