Summary of Legislation
This bill grants the Ohio Nuclear Development Authority (ONDA) the exclusive rights to use and license the terms “Green Energy,” “Greener than Green Energy,” and “Carbon Reversal Technology” in the state of Ohio. It also prohibits misleading claims about “100% renewable energy” by electric distribution utilities (EDUs) and competitive retail electric service (CRES) providers unless those claims meet strict sourcing requirements from Ohio-based renewable resources. The bill introduces a system of mandatory disclaimers, significant financial penalties for violations, and criminal penalties for intentional misrepresentation by corporate officers.
Why Ohio Legislators Should Vote for This Bill
Defends Ohio’s Energy Integrity
This bill reclaims the narrative around “green” energy by aligning branding rights with technologies that actually remove carbon, rather than trade renewable energy credits sourced from other states or countries. It prevents Ohio ratepayers from being misled by corporate marketing and ensures truth in advertising, enhancing consumer trust and accountability.Promotes Ohio-Made Clean Energy Innovation
By requiring that claims of “100% renewable” be backed by Ohio-sourced RECs, the bill incentivizes local energy production and discourages outsourcing to unreliable or foreign-controlled energy sources. This aligns with national energy security priorities and President Trump’s Executive Orders aimed at eliminating market-distorting subsidies and reclaiming American energy independence.Creates a Valuable Licensing Asset for Ohio
Granting ONDA exclusive rights to market the next generation of energy technologies as "Greener than Green" creates a competitive branding edge. This intellectual property becomes an exportable asset that Ohio can license to clean tech providers, adding non-taxpayer-based revenue for research, commercialization, and education.Holds Corporations Accountable
The bill imposes meaningful penalties — $3 per MWh and felony charges for executives who knowingly mislead the public — for deceptive environmental marketing. This not only restores public confidence but ensures that greenwashing becomes a legally and financially risky business practice in Ohio.Strengthens ONDA’s Role as a Market Leader
The authority to license carbon reversal terminology supports ONDA’s larger mission of transforming Ohio into a hub for advanced nuclear and carbon-negative technologies. It establishes a defined regulatory and marketing framework that distinguishes ONDA nationally as the leader in next-generation energy solutions.Empowers Consumer Transparency
Disclaimers are required for all providers using licensed terms or claiming 100% renewable energy, ensuring that consumers are fully informed about the nature of their electricity supply, whether it’s generated locally or merely purchased as a certificate from another state.
In essence, this bill does not impose mandates. Instead, it enables truth-in-marketing, protects Ohio’s brand, supports real carbon-reversal technologies, and gives consumers and innovators alike a fair playing field. It’s a forward-thinking, market-friendly mechanism for ensuring that Ohio leads — not follows — in defining what clean energy really means.
