Ohio

Green steel

Ohio steel giant aims to use Biden climate funds for polluting project

Cleveland-Cliffs got $500M for a big green-steel push. Under Trump, the firm is “rescoping” to work that perpetuates coal use and will boost local pollution.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski .

6 August 2026

Steel plant seen from a distance behind a chain link fence — Cleveland-Cliffs’ Middletown Works in Middletown, Ohio, in September 2024 (Madeleine Hordinski for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Batteries

Biggest battery east of the Mississippi will help power AI complex

The 1-GWh battery project in Ohio will help suppress power prices and reduce grid strain from a nearby data center hub. The region could use a lot more systems like it.

By Julian Spector . 29 July 2026
Fossil fuels

A $100M Ohio energy fund lacks transparency — and excludes renewables

JobsOhio, which is administering the new fund, has drawn criticism for limiting the opportunity to nuclear and natural gas — and for its opaque process.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 22 July 2026
Utilities

More Ohioans are getting their power shut off as energy costs surge

Recent data reveals an uptick in households losing power because of unpaid utility bills — yet another sign of the ongoing national affordability crisis.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 14 July 2026
Solar

Ohio Power Siting Board asks court to punt on high-stakes solar case

The Kingwood Solar case could provide clean energy developers in Ohio with much-needed clarity about the regulatory environment — if the court doesn’t dismiss it.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 9 July 2026
Solar

In Ohio, solar is no big threat to farmland

Fears over farmland loss have fueled arguments against renewables in Ohio — but golf courses and suburban sprawl take up far more acreage than solar does.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 2 July 2026
Wind

New Ohio bill could hamstring big wind and solar farms even more

Despite bipartisan agreement that Ohio needs more electricity generation, the GOP-led Senate passed a bill that would boost natural gas and ding renewables.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 23 June 2026
Clean energy

Ohio has blocked a lot of wind and solar. Its residents pay the price.

The clean energy projects thwarted by state lawmakers could have gone a long way toward meeting spiking energy demand, lowering bills, and eliminating pollution.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 5 June 2026
Utilities

Ohio utilities report subpar grid reliability as they seek a lower bar

FirstEnergy and Duke say factors like worsening extreme weather led to missed 2025 targets. The state will soon decide whether to accept more and longer outages.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 18 May 2026
Land use

Confusing ballot wording may have tipped Ohio vote on renewables ban

Exit polling suggests Richland County would have elected to repeal its wind and solar ban, if not for residents who mistakenly voted in favor of the restriction.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 11 May 2026
Land use

Resident-led campaign fails to reverse Ohio county’s ban on renewables

Locals pushed deep-red Richland County to be the first to nix a wind and solar ban. The close vote suggests bipartisan support for clean energy.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 6 May 2026