Ohio Congressman Bob Latta Raises the Alarm on State Legislation That Threatens Coal Jobs
Today, U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy Chairman Bob Latta (R-OH) held a hearing on electric grid reliability. At the hearing, Latta raised concerns about legislation that is currently being considered by the Ohio legislature, H.B. 15 and S.B. 2, that could negatively impact a coal plant in his home state.
Chair Bob Latta (R-OH-5): I’ve heard concerns from workers at an Ohio coal plant about the detrimental effects of the previous administration’s policy and recent state level initiatives that could threaten their jobs. As you grapple with challenges resulting from rapid and widespread retirements of dispatchable generation without adequate replacement. Is there merit in pausing the adoption of harmful policies at the federal and state levels.
Manu Asthana, President and Chief Executive Officer of PJM Interconnection, LLC.: From a reliability perspective? Definitely, there is merit in making sure that we don’t retire, that we will need to keep the lights on.
Latta’s questioning echoes concerns raised by workers at the plant whose jobs and livelihoods are on the line if Ohio state lawmakers do not back President Trump’s America First energy agenda and oppose the anti-coal bills.
Ohio lawmakers must vote to protect jobs, economic growth, and, most importantly, families. Ohioans cannot allow lawmakers to turn the state into another California, with its failed policies, flailing economy, and fleeing population.
March 25, 2025