COLUMBUS – At a time when many coal-fired plants are closing, Ohioans are paying for two coal plants on their electric bills, and one isn't even located in the state.
The reasons why Ohioans are subsidizing the Piketon-based Ohio Valley Electric Corp. (OVEC) plants are complicated and, of course, political. The plants were built to power America's push for nuclear weapons during the Cold War. But that role was short-lived, and opponents say the plants have outlived their usefulness.
The OVEC plants became a bargaining chip in the heated House Bill 6 fight to bail out two nuclear plants in northern Ohio then owned by FirstEnergy Solutions. With much of the attention on the $1 billion nuclear bailout, lawmakers extended monthly fees on Ohioans' electric bills for the two coal plants through 2030.