Community Energy passes Ohio House in historic, bipartisan win
- Energy democracy & policy
What do Ohio’s faith groups, labor unions, big-box retailers, manufacturers, farmers, and environmentalists have in common? They all support bringing community energy to Ohio!
In November 2025, Solar United Neighbors (SUN) celebrated the bipartisan passage of Ohio’s community energy bill, HB 303, through the Ohio House of Representatives with a 77-8 vote. For over five years, SUN has mobilized broad grassroots support for a community solar bill in the state. Now, Ohioans are closer than ever to democratizing their energy system in favor of lower prices, good jobs, and clean energy. To bring community energy to your state, sign up to volunteer!
Community energy would allow for residents to subscribe to a small, local energy project, such as solar or wind. Subscribers would receive a credit on their electric bill for the energy generated at the site, saving them money each month. The legislation also prioritizes building energy projects on brownfield sites, giving new life to eyesores that can’t be turned into housing or farmland.
“It’s been a long time coming”, said Mryia Williams, SUN’s Ohio Program Director. “This is the closest we’ve ever come to making community energy a reality.”
Over 50 groups submitted testimonies in favor of the bill. Local solar racking companies and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) said the bill would create good energy jobs — not just in solar installation and maintenance, but also in manufacturing for components. Walmart, Ohio’s largest employer, argued that community energy would lower electric bills and attract investment to the state. The Libertarian Party spoke up for the freedom of Ohioans to choose where their energy comes from. And environmentalist groups urged for a transition to a cleaner energy mix that improves air quality.
Everyone can agree: bringing more electricity generation to Ohio is urgent. Last June, energy utilities slapped Ohioans with a 35–38% increase in electricity fees. It’s an insult to injury, as many families are already struggling with high costs of living. At the same time, Northwest Ohio has suffered from blackouts as the emerging data center industry increases pressure on the grid. Community energy is essential to meeting Ohio’s energy needs without raising costs on working families.
The vote comes on the heels of a groundbreaking Energy Omnibus bill that will overhaul the state’s energy system. The omnibus bill passed in May, but community energy was taken out at the last minute. The momentum from the omnibus bill fueled support for a standalone community energy bill. It’s a critical step for a legislative session aimed at boosting Ohio’s energy independence.
We’re not here for profits or politics — we’re here to make sure everyday Ohioans have a voice in their energy future.
Mryia Williams, SUN’s Ohio Program Director
“We’re not here for profits or politics — we’re here to make sure everyday Ohioans have a voice in their energy future,” Williams said about SUN’s role in advocating for community energy. Legislators from both sides of the aisle often looked to SUN for reliable information about the bill.
On October 29, 2025, SUN hosted a community forum to hear from farmers on how community energy could benefit them. Farmers can host community energy pilot programs on their land, sell the extra energy, and help power their communities with affordable energy. Amidst rising costs, the extra cash from community energy could be a lifeline for farmers.
“Community solar would allow, not only for me, an income stream for myself, it would allow my kids to hold on to and maintain the property and continue the farm well into the future,” said Steve Mondak, a farmer from East Palestine.
SUN also mobilized solar supporters to attend the bill’s hearings — and not just the solar-friendly ones. At the opponent testimony hearing, Ohio’s utility companies argued against the bill, repeating a common solar myth about shifting costs. But solar supporters in yellow shirts showed up in the audience during their testimony. It was a strong reminder that Ohioans overwhelmingly want more solar, not less.
The work isn’t done yet — community energy still needs to pass the Senate. That could happen anytime from February to June 2026. “Passing a bill is never an easy journey,” said Williams. “Clearing the House was like climbing a steep hill. But we still need to get over the peak.”
To keep up the momentum, we’ll need supporters like you to make your voice heard. Let’s bring Community Energy over the finish line!
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