EcoWatch Journal Dec/Jan 2010R : Page 4
WHAT IS OHIO’S GREEN ENERGY FUTURE? and fill the policy leadership gap between government and private, for-profit businesses. Energy sustainability is led in large part by government policy. However, I believe that ultimately a sustainable energy economy comes from the common sense, entre-preneurial spirit and innovation of Ohio’s grassroots—our people, busi-nesses and educational institutions. Leading a small non-profit, Green Energy Ohio (GEO), I have spent the last 10 years with hundreds of volunteers and community partners to break down policy barriers and get solar and wind power deployed into our state’s main-stream economy. We have proven that green energy works in Ohio and that green energy puts Ohioans to work. This past October was GEO’s 8th annual Ohio Solar Tour with 243 solar, wind, biomass and energy efficiency “open houses” in 119 communities and 45 counties. Ac-cording to the American Solar Energy Society, GEO’s Solar Tour is the largest in the U.S. Our Ohio clean energy community must now join hands with policy makers and key partners to build on today’s foundation to cement clean energy into Ohio’s mainstream economy. Our efforts are embedded in the ac-tions of both Republican and Democratic leaders. In 2003, under Ohio Gov. Bob Taft’s Administration, the Ohio Clean Energy Business Association (OCEBA), composed of 10 green energy businesses, was set up by the Ohio Department of Development. OCEBA succeeded in advocating grants from the Energy Loan Fund (now the Advanced Energy Fund), an incentive that has led to more than 600 clean energy installations in Ohio. The passage of Gov. Ted Strickland’s energy bill in April 2008, further ignited the renewable energy industry of Ohio. Included in this bipartisan legislation was a Renew-able Portfolio Standard (RPS) mandating that 25 percent of electricity generated in Ohio come from advanced energy sources by 2025 with 12.5 percent from renewables including hydro and 50 percent of that power generation Bold Alternatives, a Cleveland-based renewable energy installation company, installed this 30 kW solar project that offsets 25 percent of the electricity usage of Kalman and Pabst Photo Group in Cleveland. coming from Ohio projects. An OCEBA 2003 report of Ohio’s clean energy potential written by GEO staff, Creating Jobs & Clean Energy for Ohio, was the first to support an Ohio RPS. GEO has been pivotal in the deployment of renewable energy in Ohio. From 2000 to 2006 under the Taft admin-istration, GEO held the first-ever statewide Ohio Wind HAPPY HOLIDAYS from SmartKleanOhio! A Christmas Gift is Original CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Now we look forward to Governor-elect John Kasich sounding the trumpet’s unbroken note by continuing the leadership necessary to make Ohio a world-class leader in green energy jobs and manufacturing, and promoting a sustainable energy economy that will improve the quality of life for all Ohioans. Power Conference and led the Ohio Wind Working Group; tested Bowl-ing Green’s wind resource shaving a year off installing the first utility-scale wind turbines in Ohio; put the “Stake in the Lake” at the Cleveland offshore water intake crib—it is the highest elevation wind test in any of the Great Lakes; installed solar electricity at the Ohio governor’s residence; started the Ohio Solar Tour; and, began statewide education and outreach on renewable energy. From 2007 to 2010, under the Strickland administra-tion, Ohio ramped up utility-scale wind and solar projects; spawned new green jobs and businesses; supported education and job training; and adopted a RPS with a one-half percent solar carve out representing 800 megawatts. At SOLAR 2007, GEO brought 5,000 people to downtown Cleveland for a national solar conference and released the first U.S. and Ohio Green Jobs Study. It is clear to most that the Strickland administration leaves a policy legacy strongly supporting green energy as a key economic development driver. Now we look forward to Governor-elect John Kasich sounding the trumpet’s unbroken note by continuing the leadership necessary to make Ohio a world-class leader in green energy jobs and manufacturing, and promoting a sustainable energy economy that will improve the quality of life for all Ohioans. What can you do? Contact your state representatives and let them know you support a sustainable energy economy that will create jobs and transition us to rely-ing on cleaner sources of fuel. Visit www.house.state. oh.us and www.ohiosenate.gov to find contact informa-tion for your elected officials. For more information, call Green Energy Ohio at 614-985-6131 or visit www.greenenergyohio.org. ---------Bill Spratley, executive director of Green Energy Ohio, was the State of Ohio’s first Consumers’ Counsel from 1977-1993 and served on the U.S. Secretary of Energy’s Advisory Boards under Presidents Carter, H.W. Bush and Clinton. Professional Design and Installation Solar Electric, Wind, & Solar Thermal Give a Xmas present that: Increases the lifespan of your clothes Saves you ‘loads’ of $$$ every year Eliminates Germs, Allergens, and Odors Is 100% Chemical-free and Safe for your skin Is Easy, Ecological, Educational, and FUN to use! 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