Advanced Energy Economy opposes effort to lessen Ohio energy standards

In testimony submitted to the Ohio Senate Energy and Natural Resource Committee, Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) and its Ohio affiliate have become the latest opponents of a House bill that would gradually reduce the power of the state’s energy standards.

Under that bill, renewable energy and energy efficiency standards would instead become voluntary goals taken on by the industry. Such a change would help drive a $10 billion market opportunity out of Ohio and color the state’s appearance to large corporations, AEE State Policy Associate Ray Fakhoury said.

Earlier this year, both General Motors and Facebook operations in the state announced massive investments in renewable energy power as supply. To change the game now, AEE argues, would stifle certainty and growth among the industry.

“It’s about time Ohio’s energy policy catches up with the changing market dynamics as the cost of advanced energy resources dramatically declines and corporate demand from Fortune 100 and 500 companies significantly increases,” Ted Ford, president of Ohio AEE, said. “If Ohio wants to attract these companies and retain them, it needs to show that it is serious about accelerating advanced energy adoption. Voluntary goals don’t accomplish that.”

Gov. John Kasich vetoed a similar bill to weaken state energy standards at the end of the 2016 legislative session.