Ohio Geniuses Deal With Renewable Energy

A bipartisan 2008 Ohio law requires public utilities to gradually increase over time the very small percentage of renewable energy (wind, solar, etc.) they sell to Ohio's electricity users.  The overwhelming majority of power sold in Ohio is generated by burning coal and gas -- non-renewable, carbon-heavy contributors to pollution and global warming.  The current law is one way to slowly but steadily reduce use of such undesirable fuels by our utility companies.

A couple days ago, in our GOP-gerrymandered Ohio legislature, the state Senate passed Senate Bill 310.  Essentially an ALEC-written "model law", SB 310 freezes renewable energy standards exactly where they are, and makes it easier to opt out of energy efficiency standards.  It's supposed to be a temporary, two-year freeze and a study committee, but you know how that goes.

Ignoring the long-term benefits of more efficiency and more renewables, Gov. Kasich and Senate president Keith Faber crossed their fingers and issued a joint statement/lie claiming that current law is "unrealistic and will drive up costs for job creators and consumers."

Apparently, the only "job creators" who matter to them are coal and natural gas companies, and the renewable energy companies can go piss up a rope.

SB 310 is stupid, live-for-today, ultra-short-range thinking.  It's a regressive embarrassment and an obvious sop to utility companies and the petrochemical industry.

The bill now goes to the Republican-dominated Ohio House, where it will almost certainly be rubber-stamped for Kay-suck's approval.  Nevertheless, you should ask your representative to vote no.