Last month's Ohio Governor's 21st Energy & Economic Summit featured presenters from a variety of industries to explore related policy and job creation issues that will impact the state over the next several years. Gov. John Kasich concluded the two-day program with a letter to participants stating that Ohio should not waiver in its commitment to renewable energy. However, just weeks before the summit, Ohio legislators had proffered a bill that could hinder growth initiatives in the alternative energy arena.
Ohio State Senator Kris Jordan (R-Powell) introduced Ohio Senate Bill 216 (SB 216) (link to B&E article) to repeal Ohio's renewable portfolio standard ("RPS") (link to our SB 221 chart)which currently requires that the state's electric utilities provide 25 percent of their retail energy supply from advanced and renewable energy sources by 2025.
A significant catalyst in the growth of Ohio's alternative energy industry was the 2008 implementation of Ohio Senate Bill 221 (SB 221). SB 221 was enacted to encourage businesses and utilities to adopt renewable and advanced energy technologies. It also created energy reduction and peak demand standards that utilities must meet through energy efficiency programs.
According to a January 2011 report produced by the Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC), Ohio is a leading wind and solar component manufacturer in the United States and employs thousands of individuals across 160 companies engaged in the wind power (106) and solar power (63) supply chains.
If S.B. 216 is approved by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor (first to be reviewed by the state's Energy and Public Utilities Committees), the shift in public policy could dramatically effect employers of advanced energy solutions, primarily their operations, workforce and strategic plans.
For more information, read Bricker & Eckler's September 21 article: Legislative Roundup: Ohio Senate Bill 216 Would Repeal Ohio's Advanced Energy Law.
