COLUMBUS — Environmentalists applauded and manufacturers howled as House Speaker Jon Husted, R-Kettering, announced a plan to force electric utilities to make steady progress toward using more and more renewable energy.

"We're enthusiastic that this is the right direction for Ohio," Husted said Thursday, Feb. 21, in the Statehouse Atrium packed with lawmakers, lobbyists and lawyers. "This is really about making sure that we're not caught behind the times, that we're looking ahead, that we're trying to get out in front of a trend for once in this state."

In August, Gov. Ted Strickland unveiled a plan to re-regulate Ohio's electricity market and require utilities to get 12.5 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2025. The Senate passed it unanimously Oct. 31, but it has languished in the House despite broad support from business, labor and community groups.

On Thursday, Husted announced he wants to require utilities to hit benchmarks each year between 2009 and 2025, using more renewable energy each year. Additionally, 1 percent of Ohio's power must come from solar by 2025. Utilities that fail to hit the benchmarks would face stiff penalties, he said.

Husted also said he wants to remove a cap that the Senate placed on how much the required advanced energy standards could add to a power bill.

The Ohio Coalition for Affordable Power — a large group of business and manufacturers — urged Husted to keep the cap as a way to protect consumers from high electric bills.

"Cost caps are needed to protect consumers from unripe and expensive technologies,'' said Eric Burkland of the Ohio Manufacturers Association.

Strickland warned that Ohio businesses need an energy policy that assures them reliable, affordable power.

The coalition and others called on Husted to pass the comprehensive bill as soon as possible.

Husted remained tight-lipped on when he'll roll out more changes and call for a floor vote on the final bill.