OH HB472

Changes renewable energy requirement deadline from 2027 to 2026, maintaining 12.5% target for electric utilities and companies, with updated annual benchmarks for 2016-2026.

Modifies wind farm setback requirements by reducing the setback from 1,125 feet to a distance equal to 1.1 times the turbine height for economically significant wind farms, and eliminates setback requirements for wind farms of 50 megawatts or more.

Unfreezes energy efficiency and peak demand reduction requirements that were suspended, allowing utilities to reinstate or establish new programs with benchmarks of 1% annual savings and 0.75% peak demand reduction for 2016-2019.

Permits electric distribution utilities to file new portfolio plans in 2016 for Public Utilities Commission review and approval, with plans becoming effective January 1, 2017.

Updates compliance timelines and provisions for utilities previously operating under frozen requirements, allowing amendments to existing plans within 30 days of the bill's effective date.