Ricky Junquera - (617)599-7048 - ricky.junquera@sierraclub.org
Neil Waggoner - (330)730-5109 - neil.waggoner@sierraclub.org
Columbus, OH-- Earlier this morning, leaked details of a legislative nuclear bailout was reported by longtime energy reporter John Funk. It appears that the state legislature hopes to introduce a bill that will raise customers’ monthly electric bill in order to bail out old uneconomic nuclear plants.
In Response, Neil Waggoner, Campaign Representative for Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign in Ohio released the following statement:
“This bill is a farce. Not only would it force Ohioans to pay more each month on their electric bills to bail out old nuclear plants that are losing money now and will only continue to lose money in the future, it would also effectively kill current programs that are driving money saving energy efficiency investments and clean energy development.
“If the legislature is seriously concerned about carbon and clean air, they should pursue a comprehensive energy agenda with a focus on how to increase investment in energy efficiency, expand clean energy development, and support communities disproportionately impacted by the transition away from, and retirement of, dirty energy generation.
“This scheme is just a new energy tax on Ohio electric customers to maintain uneconomic energy generation, and reward FirstEnergy’s bad business decisions.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.