Rep. Brown applauds bill to undo parts of HB 6, renew call for full repeal of corrupt law

Rep. Richard Brown (D-Canal Winchester), issued a statement Thursday on the passage of House Bill (HB) 128, legislation to repeal parts of HB 6 from the 133rd General Assembly (GA). 

“I am proud to have voted yes on a partial repeal of House Bill 6 that will save consumers money on their electric bills and will undermine a culture of corruption that has been fostered by the majority. Now we must go a step further and fully repeal House Bill 6 while also making ample investments in Ohio's clean energy future",” said Rep. Brown. 

HB 6 was a multi-billion dollar corporate bailout at the center of the largest alleged public racketeering and bribery scheme in Ohio history. Former Republican Speaker Larry Householder and several close associates were paid millions to pass HB 6 and stop a referendum on the law. 

HB 128 would eliminate subsidies for the Ohio-based Energy Harbor nuclear plants and the associated ratepayer fees, and remove financial benefits that enabled FirstEnergy to implement a decoupling mechanism and earn significantly excessive profits. Additionally, the bill would keep $20 million a year in subsidies for previously approved solar projects, a Democratic priority.

Democrats, while supportive of the bill, said HB 128 is just the first step toward undoing the damage caused by HB 6, and renewed calls for a vote on the full repeal of the controversial law. Today’s call for a full repeal is just the latest from House Democrats, who have urged on multiple occasions for the repeal of HB 6. They have also introduced a number of bills to repeal parts or all of the law. 

HB 128 moves to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.