Despite the Obama administration announcing plans to strengthen the regulatory powers of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, some states are not going to be following suit. Ohio, which previously passed lauded regulations that increase the state's energy efficiency portfolio each year, recently saw these laws undone by Governor John Kasich (R) and the state legislature.

In 2008, the Ohio government passed laws that required electric companies to sell wind and solar power each year, increasing the amount sold each successive year. Opponents of this law claim that it places an unnecessary financial burden on residents of the state, while proponents say that it is beneficial for the environment. Now, the matter will be studied more closely due to Senate Bill 310, which was signed into law by Kasich on June 14.

The new law temporarily halts the incremental increases of the energy efficiency mandates. Instead of increasing over the next two years, the clean power levels will be held at 2014 numbers through at least the end of 2017. During this time, the state government will study whether putting a permanent end to these mandates or continuing them will be the best course of action. Kasich​'s spokespeople said that it is important for all information to be known before moving forward.

"Ohio needs more renewable and alternative energy sources and it needs a strong system to support them as they get started," press secretary Rob Nichols said in a statement. "It's naive, however, to think that government could create that system perfectly the first time and never have to check back to see if everything's OK."

Maryland residents should schedule an energy audit today with Alban Inspections, in order to learn how you can alter your home so that it consumes energy in smarter and cheaper ways.