By Kathiann M. Kowalski.

Backers of a move to keep Ohio’s renewable and energy efficiency standards frozen and weaken them further say they’re motivated by litigation challenging the Clean Power Plan.

That concern is dismissed by leaders in clean energy industry and environmental organizations, who say continuing the freeze will put Ohio at a further disadvantage if the EPA climate rules are upheld.

“The bill on its face is something that’s going to halt innovation and the new energy economy that’s emerging pretty much all around us,” said Ted Ford, president of Ohio Advanced Energy Economy.