Ohio’s energy reform sets a national standard
Abundant, affordable energy is the backbone of American prosperity. And in 2025, Ohio took bold steps to lead the way — proving that bottom-up reform and principled policy can challenge monopolies, drive innovation, and lower energy costs for families and businesses.
For years, Ohio energy consumers have borne the brunt of outdated and crony-driven utility practices. Coal subsidies cost ratepayers millions while permitting delays and monopoly protections stifle innovation and lock in higher consumer costs.
But with the passage of a groundbreaking energy reform bill, Ohio is showing how bold policy and grassroots action can reshape energy markets, lower costs, and restore power to the people — not monopolies.
And Americans for Prosperity helped drive this achievement — rallying support from the grassroots to key policymakers and proving the power of AFP’s bottom-up approach to policy reform.
A market-based energy overhaul
Ohio passed transformational energy legislation to promote energy independence, affordability, and innovation. It represents a fundamental shift in Ohio’s energy landscape by:
- Ending daily coal subsidies to the Ohio Valley Electric Corporation, saving ratepayers $450,000 per day
- Eliminating electric security plans, which allowed utilities to lock in above-market rates — ensuring prices are now fairer and more competitive
- Requiring market-based pricing for electricity, where rates are set by supply and demand instead of guaranteed utility profits — ending unfair advantages for monopolies
- Accelerating permitting timelines to 45 days or fewer, cutting red tape and making Ohio one of the fastest in the nation for energy project approvals
- Freeing the generation market, allowing more competition in how electricity is produced — unleashing innovation and affordability
These changes ensure that Ohio is an efficient, competitive, and consumer-driven energy market.
How energy reform happened
In 2024, AFP-Ohio launched a full-scale movement of its community-based grassroots army that mobilized:
- Grassroots and digital: Activists knocked on thousands of doors and hosted dozens of grassroots events — including Lobby Day at the Capitol and community events at local gas stations.
- Direct engagement with lawmakers: AFP demonstrated powerful lobbying efforts, including public testimony during recent committee hearings.
- Empowered coalitions: AFP-Ohio locked arms with aligned organizations like The Buckeye Institute and the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association to form Ohio’s first pro-market energy coalition. Their shared voice shifted the conversation.
- Emboldened policy champions: 22 AFP-backed state legislators — including reform leaders like Rep. Mike Dovilla — helped make the policy vision a reality.
At the heart of it all, when utility lobbyists pushed back, Ohioans pushed harder — and won.
A new energy era for Ohio — and beyond
Ohio’s energy overhaul is a model for the rest of the country. It proves what’s possible when policy champions follow a principled approach, with powerful grassroots advocates leading the way.
And thanks to your support, AFP-Ohio is backing the REINS Act, which would give elected lawmakers final approval over costly regulations — restoring accountability and transparency to the rulemaking process.
This initiative is gaining ground across the country, with victories already in Kentucky, Utah, and Wyoming.
AFP will continue to build on this momentum — in Ohio and across the country — to ensure every American has the tools to achieve their version of the American Dream.
Take action: Help bring energy reform to your state
Energy abundance is within reach if we cut through burdensome regulations and unleash innovation.
You can join AFP in the fight to end costly energy regulations and renew the Trump tax cuts by clicking here.
