FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 30, 2016
Media Contacts:
Jen Miller, jen.miller@sierraclub.org or 614.563.9544
Ohio Should Champion a Modern, Clean Electric System
Sierra Club Calls on Ohio Leaders to Reject HB 554
Columbus, OH -- Today, the Ohio House Public Utilities Committee passed HB 554, extending the freeze on Ohio's Clean Energy Standards.
In Response Jen Miller, Director of Sierra Club Ohio, released the following statement:
“The people of Ohio overwhelmingly support energy efficiency and renewable energy, because they want clean air, clean water, lower bills, and good green-jobs. Last year global capacity for renewable energy surpassed that of coal, and Ohioans don’t want to be left behind. Given our manufacturing base and our stellar research institutions, Ohio should take full advantage of the burgeoning economic development opportunities in clean energy, but that won’t happen unless Ohio adopts forward-thinking energy policy.
This attempt by Ohio House Public Utilities Committee to move our state backward must be stopped. We call on the members of the full House of Representatives to vote No on this bad bill if it comes to a vote on the floor. We encourage the Ohio Senate and Governor Kasich to set a different path forward - one that promotes a 21st century energy system, creates jobs, and protects public health - by bringing Ohio’s clean energy standards back, as written in 2008.”
BACKGROUND:
The proposed legislation would further dismantle the bipartisan renewable energy standards and energy efficiency standards passed in 2008, which proved to save customers money, reduce pollution, and create Ohio jobs.
Ohio’s Energy Efficiency Resource Standard resulted in significant customer savings prior to being “frozen” in 2014. According to annual reports submitted by utilities to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), Ohio customers saved $4 billion between 2009-2014.
While the Clean Energy Standards were in place, investments in Ohio’s clean energy sector generated over $160 million in annual GDP growth and created thousands of new jobs.
A 2015 report documented that allowing the Standards to come back would result in preventing approximately 2,230 asthma attacks, 120 emergency room visits, 230 heart attacks and over 16,000 lost work and school days in one year. The benefits incurred by 2027 include preventing over 44,000 asthma attacks, over 4,000 heart attacks, and nearly 3,000 premature deaths among other health benefits
A poll conducted this September by University of Maryland found that 68% of Ohioans support a requirement that utilities generate a portion of their electricity through renewable energy sources. Furthermore, a poll conducted by the Ohio Conservative Energy Forum found that 82% of Ohio conservative voters want the state to continue requiring electric utilities to provide energy efficiency programs that help customers reduce their monthly bills. That same poll also found that 72% would advise candidates for public office to support energy efficiency and renewable energy policies.