Ohio Renewable Energy Bill Soon to Be Introduced

Aug 28 - Dayton Daily News

Backers of renewable energies are ratcheting efforts to get passed this fall legislation mandating that 20 percent of Ohio's total energy come from wind energy production.

Manufacturing and utility industries and environmental and consumer groups are under pressure to get a bill passed in time with Gov. Ted Strickland's development of a comprehensive state energy plan, already near completion.

Strickland's plan is expected to include mandates to wean the state off its heavy reliance of coal and fix its electricity markets.

Ohio's electric rate stabilization plans expire Dec. 31, 2008, when the state then moves to a fully deregulated market. Backers of renewable energies say electric rates are expected to soar under full deregulation and that wind power will impact rates by decreasing or leveling them off.

With 25 states already having a renewable energy standard, Ohio is behind the ball in getting such a bill passed, said Amy Gomberg of Environment Ohio, a citizen based, nonprofit, nonpartisan environmental advocacy organization. Environment Ohio is working with Ohio Rep. Jim McGregor, chairman of the alternative energy committee, in getting a bill introduced in the coming weeks that would mandate that 20 percent of Ohio's power production come from renewable energy.

Right now, 87 percent of Ohio's electricity comes from burning coal, while less than 1 percent comes from renewable sources.

"Time is of the essence," said Geoff Greenfield of Athens-based Third Sun Solar and Wind Power during an Environment Ohio telephone conference Thursday, at which time the organization released a report, Energizing Ohio's Economy: Creating Jobs and Reducing Pollution with Wind Power.

"Companies are scaling up and looking for locations in North America," Greenfield said. "Ohio has the chance to land a lot of manufacturing jobs."

The goal, energy officials said, is to have a renewable energy standard passed by year's end.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-9338 or kmcallister@DaytonDailyNews.com.

Renewable energy

Data in the report show that a 20 percent commitment to wind energy by 2020 would provide Ohio:

3,100 permanent, full-time jobs in sectors ranging from manufacturing and construction, to banking and finance.

$8.2 billion in increased gross state product.

Generate up to $1.5 billion in property taxes to county governments.

Increase wages paid to Ohio workers by a cumulative net total of $3.7 billion.

Supplement rural landowner's income by $200 million dollars.

Avoid 170 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, or taking more than 2 million cars off the road.