OHIO JOINS FIGHT FOR RES (RPS)

Ohio is about to fight the good fight for New Energy. It wants to be the 26th state to seize to the future.

By the way, it seems to NewEnergyNews that many have decided it is time to do away with the awkward phrase "Renewable Portfolio Standard" and its confusing acronym, RPS, in favor of the more precise and recognizable "Renewable Electricity Standard" and RES. This is a good idea. Pass it on.

Report: Wind Energy a Boon to Ohio
Stephen Majors, August 23, 2007 (AP via Forbes)

WHO
Environment Ohio, Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland (D), Strickland energy adviser Mark Shanahan, and state lawmakers in the Republican controlled legislature, Ohio manufacturing unions

Every green dot is a business in Ohio ready to contribute to and benefit from New Energy. (click to enlarge)

WHAT
Environment Ohio contends that a legislatively-mandated requirement for Ohio’s utilities to obtain a minimum portion of electricity from renewables, called a Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) or a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), would act as an incentive to energy and economic development and potential rejuvenation for the state.

WHEN
Rising national political and marketplace interest in New Energy is pushing this issue forward in Ohio, especially spurred by Ohio’s large potential wind energy resource. Opponents argue legislators must first attend to the fact that electricity is scheduled to be deregulated in Ohio as of January 1, 2009.

WHERE
The story is from Columbus, Ohio’s state capital.

WHY
- Ohio is rich in wind resources and does not need to be dependent on dirty coal-burning power plants.
- Many northeastern and Midwestern manufacturing centers have suffered economic losses to globalization. If the legislature were to require utilities to obtain their electricity from renewables, rate payers would be financing local installations, local work and all the local economic development that comes with active industry and employment.
- 25 states now have some kind of RES. Without this kind of legislation, Ohio’s economy will be without the incentive it needs to remain competitive.
- Environment Ohio called for the legislation requiring the states electricity portfolio to include 20% renewable sources by 2020 to create 3,100 new full-time jobs and dramatically reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
- Shanahan says Gov. Strickland favors the idea. Republicans in the legislature and aggressive Ohio Manufacturers Association and utility company lobbyists are working against it.

The naysayers are going to tell you New Energy will drive power rates up, Ohio. Don't believe them. Here are calculations done by the Union of Concerned Scientists. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
Tim Burga, chief of staff, Ohio AFL-CIO: "We believe this to be a great opportunity to put politics aside, not only to address electric restructuring and regulation but also advanced energy…"