CHANGES MADE What Senate did

The Ohio Senate made several changes to an energy bill proposed by Gov. Ted Strickland. The bill now is before the Ohio House. Among their actions, the Senate:

Set February 2008 rates as the starting point for future increases, as opposed to Strickland’s proposal that rates be determined by actual costs of generation, plus power plant costs and a rate of return.

Continued deep discounts for manufacturers and other big industrial users.

Took away the muscle Strickland’s version had given the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to set periodic goals for each utility to generate 25 percent of their power with renewable sources, such as wind, solar or biofuels, by 2025.

Removed the renewable energy requirement altogether if expanding into such sources would raise overall average rates more than 3 percent.

Sources: The Plain Dealer, www.cleveland.com