Dive Brief:

• The Ohio Legislature has passed a measure that will suspend the state's energy efficiency and renewable energy targets for the next two years. The bill now goes to the Governor's desk.
• The targets were initially introduced in 2008, ordering utilities to generate 25% of their electricity from renewable resources (including nuclear power) by 2025.
• After two years, the targets will resume, according to a deal authored by state Governor John Kasich, unless lawmakers can come up with an alternative plan. 

Dive Insight:

The targets have saved Ohio consumers an estimated $1 billion, but the House's Public Utilities chair Peter Stautberg said these savings are reaching their limit. "The low-hanging fruit is disappearing," he said, pointing out that customer can only save energy up to a point. 

Although the freeze will be viewed as a setback by environmentalists, the Governor's office remained optimistic about what a renewed debate could bring. "Ohio needs more renewable and alternative energy sources, and it needs a strong system to support them as they get started," said spokesman Rob Nichols. "It's naive, however, to think that government could create that system perfectly the first time and never have to check back to see if everything's OK."