Decision Day Near on Paused Ohio Energy Efficiency Standards

http://www.energymanagertoday.com
By: Carl Weinschenk

Businesses and health, community and environmental groups are asking Ohio lawmakers to reinstate targets for clean coal, wind, solar power and other renewable and advanced energy sources, according to The Washington Times.

An Ohio state law promulgated in 2008 requires 25 percent of the state’s energy to come from alternative sources by 2025. It also set efficiency goals. Criticism from Republican legislators led Governor John Kasich to pause the phase-in for two years in 2014. If no action is taken, the phase in will resume unchanged in 2017.

The recommendations from the groups was the follow up to an initiative called “Ohio’s Energy Tour.” It contained input from 70 experts and 10,000 residents of the state.

The chairman of the state study committee working on the issue said that total repeal is not on the table, but that reducing the 25 percent level and/or energy efficiency goals are being considered. The deadline for the panel to act is Sept. 30.

Ohio’s Energy Future consisted of about 36 groups, including the Ohio Environmental Council, the Ohio Manufacturers Association, the Ohio Hospital Association, the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and the Small Business Majority, according to the story.

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) released a white paper that said the state’s power companies were on track to save from 22 percent to 66 percent of across periods of ten to 20 years before the pause was instituted by the governor, according to Utility Dive.

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