Ohio Governor Can Protect Clean Energy Jobs, Investment

(COLUMBUS – December 9, 2016) Ohio legislators early this morning passed House Bill 554, a bill that will effectively extend the freeze on the state’s clean energy standards. Ohio’s renewable energy and energy efficiency standards have been frozen for the past two years, costing the state its place as a national leader in the clean energy economy by hampering energy innovation, investment, and jobs. Before the freeze, these standards saved families money and brought huge investments into the state, supporting more than 25,000 jobs, saving Ohioans over $1 billion on their electricity bills, and slashing the Buckeye State’s air pollution. 

“Today, Ohio lawmakers decided to significantly stall the state’s clean energy efforts, putting politics over economic growth. Governor Kasich has repeatedly voiced his interest in a healthy, diverse energy mix for Ohio. The governor should continue the leadership he has demonstrated and reject this harmful legislation, so Ohio can get back to work building its clean energy economy, opening the door to well-paying jobs and millions in investment.”

• Dick Munson, Director, Midwest Clean Energy