SCPD Calls for Repeal of HB 6

Summit County Progressive Democrats (SCPD) finds and resolves as follows:

WHEREAS, Ohio House Bill 6 was adopted in 2019 with the main purpose of providing new ratepayer funds to support the continued operation of two nuclear power plants owned by First Energy or its subsidiaries;

WHEREAS, SCPD neither supported nor opposed HB 6, for the reasons summarized below; 

WHEREAS, there was unanimous displeasure within the membership of SCPD that HB 6 weakened overall support for non-nuclear non-carbon-based energy generation in Ohio and added some support for carbon-based energy generation.  But some considered those negative features to be outweighed by the continuation of nuclear energy generation and union jobs;

WHEREAS, HB 6 was strongly opposed by many progressive and other organizations, for a variety of reasons, making its adoption very divisive and controversial;

WHEREAS, efforts to repeal HB 6 by referendum were successfully blocked by its proponents;

WHEREAS, federal indictments have credibly been brought based on allegedly corrupt activities to bring about the adoption of HB 6 and the successful blocking of the efforts to repeal it by referendum;

WHEREAS, given the extent of the controversy about the merits of HB 6 and now the very substantial questions that have been raised about the circumstances of its adoption and protection from repeal by referendum, the legislation should not continue to stand on the books;

THEREFORE, it is the position of Summit County Progressive Democrats as follows:
1. The legislation adopted by HB 6 should promptly be repealed.
2. Any new legislation to carry out some or all of the intended purposes of HB 6 should be considered strictly on the merits alone, without the taint of even any appearance of impropriety.
3. Any such new legislation must enhance the generation of energy in Ohio from non-nuclear, non-carbon-based sources, whatever it may also do as to nuclear energy generation. 
4. The legislation must also otherwise be consistent with the policies and principles of Summit County Progressive Democrats.        

Passed by SCPD Board July 24, 2020