Columbus: In a unanimous vote the Ohio Senate concurred
with Sub Senate Bill 221 that was passed out of the Ohio House yesterday.
Included in the legislation are strong standards for renewable energy and energy
efficiency that will result in 12.5% of Ohio’s electricity coming from clean
renewable sources of power and a 22% cumulative reduction in energy usage by
2025.
“Diversifying Ohio’s electricity mix with clean power from
wind and solar was put on the agenda of Ohio lawmakers last year by Governor
Strickland. Ohio’s Speaker of the House Jon Husted and other leaders worked to
make sure the renewable energy provisions in the bill were strong enough to have
the intended effect and ensure a cleaner energy future for Ohio,” stated Erin
Bowser, Director of Environment Ohio.
Environment Ohio supported some of the concepts expressed
in the original senate version of SB221 but opposed last minute changes that
would have precluded the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio from establishing
annual benchmarks for meeting the standard or having enforcement authority to
ensure utility compliance. Environment Ohio supported a more robust standard
like the one introduced by Representative Jim McGregor, Chair of the Alternative
Energy Committee, that would better position Ohio to develop its wind and solar
resources, reduce pollution and boost the state’s economy. Speaker Husted’s
unveiling of revamped renewable energy and energy efficiency standards in the
form of a new House bill (HB487) gave new life to Chairman McGregor’s initial
bill and set the wheels in motion for the bipartisan support that was necessary
to get strong standards enacted.
“Without the initiative of Governor Strickland to
prioritize renewable energy, combined with the dedication of Chairman McGregor
and the commitment of Speaker Husted to build the support necessary in the
Senate renewable energy development in Ohio would still be years away,” stated
Bowser. “We look forward to Governor Strickland signing this bill into law.”
Ohio becomes the 26th state in the U.S. to
enact a renewable energy standard which positions the state to reap the
environmental and economic benefits of diversifying Ohio’s electricity mix with
homegrown wind and solar resources.
