Energy In the News

Reginald Fields

Columbus- Gov. Ted Strickland pumped fuel into his energy plans on Wednesday by signing an executive order creating a high-level energy adviser position.

Ohio Air Quality Development Authority Executive Director Mark Shanahan will assume the new role and be responsible for ensuring that the state emerges as a leader in the wide-open field of next-generation energy.

Democrat Strickland hopes that by producing and using more alternative fuels such as ethanol, clean coal, wind and solar, Ohio will generate new jobs and energize its economy.

"I am convinced that we can create thousands of good-paying jobs by encouraging next-generation energy production in Ohio," Strickland said, making good on one of his campaign promises.

The citizen group Environment Ohio applauded Strickland's commitment to developing alternative energy sources but called on him to take it a step further and set a goal of having 10 percent of all Ohio energy come from wind within a decade.

The Ohio Environmental Council said the state has sorely missed having an energy plan.

"This is exactly the course Ohio should be setting," said Jack Shaner, a lobbyist for the council. "Ohio ranks fifth in the nation for overall consumption of energy, yet we don't have a clear plan to maximize efficiency."

Less than 1 percent of energy used in Ohio comes from renewable sources, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Meanwhile, 20 other states, including Pennsylvania, require electric companies to derive at least 10 percent of their energy from alternative sources.

Strickland's order also requires Shanahan and the Ohio Department of Administrative Services to develop by March 16 a tool for state agencies, boards and commissions to measure their energy consumption.

Those entities will have until June to audit their energy usage and within a year must decrease the amount by 5 percent, and by 15 percent after four years.

The governor also will push more consumption of biofuels, including biodiesel, which is 20 percent vegetable oil, and E85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, in state vehicles.

By next Jan. 1, Strickland wants 25 percent of the state's diesel purchases to be biodiesel.

The order will also establish an awards program for colleges and universities making concerted energy-efficiency efforts.

Shanahan, 57, the well-respected head of the air authority since 1989, will continue in that role. He recently spearheaded the state's effort to become the site for FutureGen, a $1 billion pollution-free, coal-fired power plant. But Ohio was not selected for the federal project.

As energy adviser, Shanahan will coordinate the governor's energy policy. Each state agency will appoint a high-ranking officer to report directly to Shanahan on energy issues. He will also sit on the Third Frontier Commission as a science and technology adviser.

Aside from "more work," Shanahan said "the most exciting part of it is that now there is actually a structure that is directly responsible to the governor to make sure that policy is coordinated."

Not only can renewable sources present more efficient energy options, but Shanahan said parts needed to build wind turbines and solar equipment can be made in Ohio - which means job creation.

Plain Dealer Reporter John Funk contributed to this story.

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