OH policy connects renewable energy and rural workforce training

By Farah Siddiqi

A minor change in Ohio law is opening major opportunities for rural students and local governments.

Renewable energy companies can now partner directly with career tech centers, thanks to a legislative fix championed by Geronimo Power.

Amanda Stallings is senior policy manager at Geronimo Power, formerly National Grid Renewables. The company helped push for the update to Ohio’s Payment in Lieu of Tax or PILOT program.

She said career tech centers were previously excluded from participating in education agreements under the program, which felt unfair to students in rural communities.

"They churn out valuable folks that contribute to society," said Stallings. "We should be helping to support those any way we can."

The change does not draw from public funds. Instead, developers independently fund the agreements, allowing career-focused students to access renewable energy education without needing to relocate or attend a four-year university.

Stallings said the benefits go beyond education access. The PILOT program also offers financial certainty for communities where projects are built, addressing concerns about rising property taxes and long-term funding needs.

"It is a flat payment per megawatt per year for the life of the project. It's great for long-term budgeting," said Stallings. "You know this money is going to be there, year over year."

Geronimo Power is moving forward with a new agreement at the Marion Technical Center, and Stallings said she hopes more companies will follow suit.

She said rural communities are full of hardworking people who just need a chance, and this policy helps level the playing field.