Ohio House Unanimously Adopts Resolution to Strengthen Electric Grid Security and Reliability

COLUMBUS – Chair of the House Energy Committee Adam Holmes (R-Nashport) today announced that Senate Concurrent Resolution 2 was unanimously adopted by the Ohio House of Representatives.  

The resolution, sponsored by State Senator Terry Johnson (R-McDermott), urges the Governor of Ohio and the U.S. Congress to increase investment in grid diversification and site security for both Ohio’s and the nation’s electrical grid. SCR 2 also encourages the 136th General Assembly to prioritize grid reliability and resilience as well as consider microgrid pilot program legislation. 

“As America’s reliance on energy continues to rise, and with China’s attempts to influence America’s domestic stability, it’s critical that the Ohio Legislature publicly states that a secure energy grid is a crucial economic driver and national security imperative,” said Rep. Holmes. 

The resolution underscores the importance of the electrical grid – and the vital role it plays in everyday life – while also highlighting the grid’s vulnerability to both natural and man-made threats, which can range from geomagnetic disturbances to cybersecurity attacks.  

Legislation establishing microgrid pilot programs, as passed in other states, works to address concerns surrounding electric grid diversification and security. According to committee testimony, following the devastation of Superstorm Sandy, New Jersey created the Energy Resilience Bank, requiring new energy projects to abide by “blackstart” and “islanding” principles if they requested state funds. 

Now that SCR 2 has been adopted by the Ohio House and Senate, a duly authenticated copy of the resolution will be transmitted to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore and Secretary of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Clerk of the United States House of Representatives, the Commissioners of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, the Director of the Department of Development, the Director of the Department of Education and Workforce, and representatives from Duke Energy Corporation, American Electric Power Company, Inc., AES Corporation, and First Energy Corporation.