Despite the back-and-forth legislative debate over Ohio’s renewable energy and energy efficiency standards (see our October 3, 2016, blog post), the state cut 50 million metric tons of carbon pollution per year over a ten-year period, more than any other state, Crain’s Cleveland reports. That reduction is largely a result of utility companies closing coal-fired power plants, according to the article. Akron-based FirstEnergy Corp. has “closed 10 plants since 2010”; company spokesperson Jennifer Young said, “[i]n Ohio alone, we have reduced our carbon emissions from 2005 by 71%, and almost all of that is from plant retirements.” Information from the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows Ohio’s “annual carbon output for the period dropped from its peak of 132.6 million metric tons in 2005 to 82.6 million metric tons in 2015.”
Ohio tops list of states for carbon emissions reduction from 2005 to 2015
